Polycrystalline solar cells are a type of photovoltaic cell used in solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. They are made from silicon, which is a semiconductor material commonly used in solar cell technology.

The manufacturing process of polycrystalline solar cells involves melting raw silicon and then pouring it into a square mold to form a large block called an ingot. The ingot is then sliced into thin wafers, which are used as the base material for the solar cells.

Unlike monocrystalline solar cells, which are made from a single crystal structure, polycrystalline solar cells are made from multiple crystal structures. This gives them a distinctive appearance with a speckled blue color.

Polycrystalline solar cells are less expensive to manufacture than monocrystalline cells, making them a cost-effective option for solar panel production. However, they are slightly less efficient in converting sunlight into electricity compared to monocrystalline cells. Despite this, polycrystalline solar panels are widely used and have become a popular choice for residential and commercial solar installations.