1. Polycrystalline Solar Panels

3. How PV Cells Are Made
The process of fabricating conventional single- and polycrystalline silicon PV cells begins very pure semiconductor-grade polysilicon - a material processed from quartz and used extensively throughout the electronics industry. The polysilicon is then heated to melting temperature, and trace amounts of boron are added to the melt to create a P-type semiconductor material. Next, an ingot, or block of silicon is formed, commonly using one of two methods: 1) by growing a pure crystalline silicon ingot from a seed crystal drawn from the molten polysilicon or 2) by casting the molten polysilicon in a block, creating a polycrystalline silicon material. Individual wafers are then sliced from the ingots using wire saws and then subjected to a surface etching process. After the wafers are cleaned, they are placed in a phosphorus diffusion furnace, creating a thin N-type semiconductor layer around the entire outer surface of the cell. Next, an anti-reflective coating is applied to the top surface of the cell, and electrical contacts are imprinted on the top (negative) surface of the cell. An aluminized conductive material is deposited on the back (positive) surface of each cell, restoring the P-type properties of the back surface by displacing the diffused phosphorus layer. Each cell is then electrically tested, sorted based on current output, and electrically connected to other cells to form cell circuits for assembly in PV modules.

4. How a solar cell works

5. What is the difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells ?
There are two cell technologies that are prevalent in today's market, they are referred to as polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon. Some manufacturers will use one or the other technologies in the manufacture of their product some will use use both. 
Solar cells that are created from monocrystalline or (single crystal) technology are cut from a silicon boule that is grown from a single crystal, in other words a crystal that has grown in only one plane or (one direction). Single crystalline are more expensive to manufacture and typically have a slightly higher efficiency than do conventional polycrystalline cells resulting in smaller individual cells and thus typically a slightly smaller module. 
Solar cells that are created from polycrystalline or (multicrystalline) technology are cut from a silicon boule that is grown from multifaceted crystalline material, or a crystal that grows in multiple directions. Conventional multicrystalline solar cells typically have a slightly lower efficiency resulting in larger individual cells and thus typically a slightly larger module. All of this has changed with the advent of the new silicon nitride multicrystalline cells which are rated as high or even higher efficiency than similarly sized monocrystalline cells. 
It's important to keep in mind that a 100 watt module is a 100 watt module whether it was made from polycrystalline cells or monocrystalline cells. 

6. Manufacturer Comparisons
Bp Solar watt panel $565 or $3.76/watt
Sharp watt panel $589 or $3.56/watt
Matrix watt panels $998 or $3.22/watt
Kyocera 167 watt panel $500 or $3.16/watt
AstroPower 140 watt panel (no dealer found)
Schott (Siemens) 165 watt $685, $4.15/watt
Do It Yourself 200 watts $2.95/watt

7. Website resources www.eere.energy.gov/pv/ www.altenergystore.com

8. THE END