Mono has won. Here\'s why
A decade ago, polycrystalline was 40% cheaper than monocrystalline and a legitimate choice for budget installations. Today, the price gap is 10-15% and mono\'s efficiency advantage has widened. For urban and semi-urban rooftop installations where every square foot counts, mono PERC is the default — poly is reserved for utility-scale ground mount where land is effectively free.
TOPCon — the next step up
N-Type TOPCon panels (commercialized 2023) offer 22-23% efficiency, 0.3%/°C temperature coefficient, 0.4% annual degradation, and 30-year warranty. 15-20% more expensive than mono PERC but produces 10-15% more lifetime units. For commercial/industrial installations and homes with limited roof area, TOPCon is often the right choice.
Compare across every major panel technology in our Solar Panel Comparison tool, and before you lock in a brand, confirm PM Surya Ghar subsidy eligibility in the DCR vs Non-DCR guide.