Because of their efficiency, polycrystalline solar panels are gaining in popularity. Though they still use silicon-like monocrystalline solar panels, polycrystalline cells are made from a newer process. Using silicon fragments rather than one silicon crystal makes these panels more budget-friendly.

In this manufacturing method, fragments of a silicon crystal-melt together in a vat of molten silicon. Rather than extracting the crystal slowly, professionals will leave it to cool and fragment. After cooling in its mold, the silicon is sliced into polycrystalline solar wafers, which are then organized to create a panel.

When sunlight reflects on polycrystalline crystals, the cells will appear blue in color. Different from pure silicon, which appears black in the sunlight, fragmented silicon will give a lighter, more bluish tinge. Polycrystalline panels are square-shaped and devoid of gaps between them. Frames will typically come in silver.