440W Mono Solar Panels VS 410W Bifacials: Worth the extra cost?

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[WillProwse]

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Save time and money with my DIY friendly off-grid solar kits, my latest product recommendations and so much more!

*Join our DIY solar community*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike. 130, 000 members and counting!

*Check out my free book*
Best-selling and beginner-friendly guidebook to off-grid 12V solar!


*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Creator of EG4 and the largest DIY solar store online!
(automatically save $50 by using my link below)

*Current Connected*
Victron, EG4, Midnite and so much more! Fast shipping and great prices:

*WattCycle*
A very budget friendly 12V battery that works great!

*Litime*
Classic and reliable 12V batteries for solar! Bestseller for many years:

*Epoch Batteries*
High-quality, marine grade 12V batteries that can survive anything!:

*IntegraRack*
DIY Friendly Solar Panel Mounting Kits! Easy to assemble and super strong:

*Ecoflow Power Stations*
The most popular plug-n-play mobile power station! I have been using these for years:

*Anker Power Stations*
Highest efficiency and best performance. The biggest challenger to Ecoflow yet!

*Watts247*
Need international shipping for large batteries and inverters? Check them out!

*Rich Solar*
One stop shop for budget 12V systems!

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap used lithium cell deals:
5% off code: diysolar


*Contact Information:*


*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes paid promotion or sponsorship (such as free products for review). Some links on this YouTube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[morkovija]

Turns out you don't need to draw out a YouTube video to get to the point. Some YouTubers should take note. No store runs, no sidestory, no unrelated content. Thanks Will

[batteryhookup]

The amount of value Will brings to the renewable energy community is incredible.

[framedinc]

If there is a YouTube award this gentleman deserves it. Thank you sir!

[plam]

A great point about cabling and mounting hardware costs for lower output panels.

[darkoampem]

On behalf of your UK based viewers, thank you for this info.

[jamest]

Great advice Will, I have been tried to tell people the same, get the best high wattage panels you can, over spec wire sizing and the same for battery capacity and inverter(s) you need, most people never get it right first time and spend a lot of time with either chasing issues or faults or replacing and upgrading, so they spend twice and more than double the amount instead of spending wisely in the first place.

[ab_ab_c]

Have you done a vid yet on energy loss based on temp? I'd like to you see you do a thorough vid one on that topic.

Thanks for sharing & keep up the good work!

[davebartholomew]

I have had an array here in the mountains for over 20 years and are considering switching to bifacial. It does get cold here, and we have snow on the ground, and it is on a 14 foot high stand-along tower.

[thomastaylor]

Another great video. But even small differences between panels might be significant for the marine market. I have two Q-Cells 340 watt panels on our sailboat - its all I can fit. So, it was very important to get panels that seem to start generating at lower sun angles and really maximize the total power per day. So, even though you might dismiss your work as not showing large differences, some of us are very interested in even small gains from one panel set versus another. Thanks for all you do.

[baneverything]

When I finally DO buy a LiFePo4 100 ah battery for my 5th wheel trailer I`ll soon be living in I`ll check back with your videos. Thank you Sir!

[merendell]

We went bifacial due to living in Oregon. At least half the year tends to be cold and cloudy. Might as well eek out as much as possible during the winter, the array is oversized for summer needs anyway.

[ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

Late to this video Wil - You nailed it! Going bigger with either bifacial or mono panels saves a TON of money. I am converting all my old 100w Renogy mono panels to Q-Cell 480w bifacial panels. Less space needed + more power. And, they are GROUND mounted here in Oklahoma (which, for six months of the year isn't hot). The Q-cell panels are also "two panels in one" meaning if 1/2 of the panel is shaded...still will hold up the voltage and power. Keep up with the great work!

[prateekkumud]

this is great information as a vegas resident this is the type of proper testing and results is awesome

[vespadavidson]

Excellent point about buying the panel with the highest output.

[timnoneya]

You should test the bifacial panels on a boat. It would be very interesting to see how much reflection from the water helps. you have a lot of boaters who watch your channel.

[accident]

So you are the one that I will follow... I followed your channel for quite a while now and know that the knowledge that you are giving me will help me create what I want one day. Please keep making these videos. Thank you so much.

[Jackof]

Good info Will. Often, I think, people don't consider the total cost and get dazzled by finding a "good" deal on just the panels.

[yournd]

I just bought 20 bifacial panels for 10.00 less each for same size mono . I am going to stand them up on edge east to west and see what I can get. I think I will be pleased!

[Nobody_Famous]

It’s probably important to also mention panel efficiency. The Poly Renogy is likely around 16% and the Mono panels about 20%. Bigger panels don’t necessarily mean more efficient. Always compare your $/W as biggest isn’t always cheapest per Watt.