The majority of solar energy systems used today power homes, businesses, and industries by converting sunlight into electrical power. These systems are based on silicon solar cells. Silicon solar cells, one of the most popular and effective photovoltaic (PV) technologies, have completely changed the solar energy market. The various varieties of silicon solar cells, their applications, and their benefits and drawbacks are all covered in this page.
How Do Silicon Solar Cells Work?
The basic component of a solar cell is pure silicon, which has been used as an electrical component for decades. Silicon solar panels are often referred to as ‘1st generation’ panels, as the silicon solar cell technology gained ground already in the 1950s. Currently, over 90% of the current solar cell market is based on silicon.
Pure silicon, which has been utilised as an electrical component for many years, is the fundamental building block of a solar cell. Since silicon sun cell technology gained traction in the 1950s, silicon solar panels are frequently referred to as “first generation” panels. Currently, silicon accounts for more than 90% of the solar cell market.
An atom of arsenic, for example, has one electron more than an atom of silicon, but an atom of gallium has one less electron. An electron-rich layer is produced when arsenic atoms are sandwiched between large numbers of silicon atoms because the excess electrons will remain in the structure.
Instead, using gallium atoms will result in a deficiency of electrons, causing the formation of an electron-poor layer. An electric field is produced in a solar cell by placing the layers adjacent to one another. The energy from the sun excites the electrons in the solar cell, leaving holes in their wake. Due of the electric field’s existence, these go to the cell’s electrodes. In this manner, power is produced.
What Are Silicon Solar Cells Used For?
Because very high-quality silicon was needed to make them, silicon solar panels used to be fairly expensive. Additionally, it used to be expensive and time-consuming to purify silicone before tampering with gallium and arsenic atoms. This explains why solar panel prices are rather high.
Thankfully, advances in technology soon made it possible to use silicon that was both less expensive and of lesser quality. Consequently, silicon solar cells have become more reasonably priced, particularly with the assistance of government subsidies.
Types of Silicon Solar Cells
There are several varieties of silicon solar cells, and each has unique properties, production methods, and efficiency. The primary categories are as follows:
1. Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Single crystal silicon is used to create monocrystalline cells. They are distinguished by their uniform black colour and rounded edges, which contribute to their sleek appearance and good efficiency. Compared to other varieties, monocrystalline cells often require less space and perform better in low light.
Furthermore, monocrystalline solar cells—especially monocrystalline bifacial solar panels—are the most space-efficient. The fact that monocrystalline cells are the most durable of all the cell types is another benefit; several manufacturers provide guarantees of up to 25 years for these kinds of solar systems.
Due to the fact that the four-sided cutting process wastes a significant amount of silicon—sometimes more than half—monocrystalline cells are the most expensive alternative despite offering all these improved benefits. For consumers, polycrystalline or film cells would be less expensive options.
2. Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Compared to monocrystalline cells, polycrystalline cells—which are composed of many silicon crystals—are less expensive to produce. Their bluish colour and gritty look are what define them. Polycrystalline cells are a common option for residential and commercial installations because they provide a reasonable mix between performance and cost, while being less efficient than monocrystalline cells.
As a result, the cost of polycrystalline solar cells is significantly reduced because very little silicon is lost during production. However, because polycrystalline cells have a lower purity level than single crystalline cells, they are less efficient and take up more space.
Polycrystalline semiconductors are less able to withstand high temperatures than monocrystalline counterparts, which is another drawback.
3. Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells (Thin-Film)
Thin-film solar cells are categorised as amorphous silicon (a-Si) cells. Amorphous cells have a non-crystalline form of silicon, in contrast to the crystalline structures of mono and polycrystalline cells. Their efficiency is lower, despite their flexibility and less weight, which usually makes them more appropriate for small-scale applications like calculators or portable solar gadgets.
Nevertheless, the performance of multiple amorphous solar cells was greatly enhanced (up to 8%) by stacking them on top of one another. In terms of production, construction, and manufacturing, amorphous silicon solar panels are a potent and newly-emerging class of photovoltaic systems that differ from crystalline silicon cells. Since amorphous silicon only needs around 1% of the silicon that would have been needed to create a solar cell based on crystalline silicon, the cost of materials is decreased.
Amorphous silicon solar panels have been developed to be lighter and more flexible, which reduces the danger associated with installing and transporting the panels. Even on curved surfaces, amorphous solar cells can be used thanks to a flexible thin-film module.
Uses of Silicon Solar Cells
Silicon solar cells’ efficiency and adaptability make them useful in a variety of applications. Among the most popular applications are:
1. Solar Systems for Homes
Households can access clean energy thanks to rooftop solar arrays powered by silicon solar cells. Due to their excellent efficiency and dependability, silicon solar cells with monocrystalline and polycrystalline configurations are frequently chosen for residential use.
2. Solar Installations for Commercial Use
Silicon solar cells are used in large commercial buildings to save energy costs and carbon emissions. Large rooftop surfaces or even parking structures are frequently covered by these systems, which provide a sizable amount of electricity.
3. Photovoltaic farms
Massive power generation is achieved by the employment of silicon solar cells in utility-scale solar farms. Cities and businesses are supplied with renewable energy by these farms, which feed electricity into the grid.
4. Handheld Solar Power Equipment
Thin-film silicon cells are widely used in small electronic devices such outdoor equipment, mobile chargers, and calculators. Their flexibility and low weight make them perfect for portable solar systems.
The foundation of solar energy technology continues to be silicon solar cells because of its high efficiency, track record of dependability, and variety of uses. Their costs are coming down because to improvements in materials and manufacturing, which will enable more businesses and homeowners to afford them. But there are issues that must be resolved, like expensive initial costs, brittleness, and efficiency losses at higher temperatures.
With any luck, this post has been helpful and you now know more about the kinds of solar panels that are best for your house. We can assist you in locating certified and trustworthy installers in your area if you’re prepared to take the next step and begin using solar energy to power your house.
We can send you up to three free quotations from our network of certified installers. This implies that you won’t have to waste countless hours investigating and evaluating the credentials of installers. Additionally, it makes it simple for you to select the greatest offer, ensuring that you are not going over budget.