Do you know exactly what is photovoltaic cell is? you might have heard many times, especially while we are talking about solar panel structure. but before then, let’s take brief glance at some annual reports to consider the flourishing development of solar energy consumerism, that we will discuss PV Cells in more detail after that.
Have you ever heard about the fact that the whole world’s energy in a year could be entirely enveloped by the sun’s power in a minute?
Every iota of earth gains sunlight for particular moments in a year which means each spot on the surface of the earth receives the sun’s radiation. Such a drastic improvement has employed great development in the industry to provide an efficient technology as it could use, save, and generate valuable electricity by sun’s energy through multiple types of solar panels.
Take a look at the graph below in 2019 and you will figure out the rapid expansion in solar photovoltaic power and has been taken intelligently during the last couple of years.
Take a look at the graph below and you will figure out the rapid expansion in solar photovoltaic power and has been taken intelligently during the last couple of years.
Most people do not have the basic awareness about various technologies which are tightly relevant to solar energy in the market such as thermal solar water heating and photovoltaic.
Photovoltaic solar panels produce electricity and thermal solar is essentially responsible for heating water. Although they both gather sun rays which are always accessible from the atmosphere and convert them to power, they differ dramatically in the main operation.
To give an extensive overview, PTSSolar has put some useful information together about the most commonplace and major types of solar panels precisely necessary to solar energy technology. Solar cell types are basically divided into four main categories:
- Mono-Crystalline solar panel
- Poly-Crystalline solar panel
- Thin-Film: Amorphous Silicon Solar panel
- Concentrated PV Cell
Discrimination through diverse sorts of solar panels usually proposes disparity between single-junction and multi-junction solar systems since they involve a different number of layers.
Moreover, we have another general category for solar systems which is predominantly classified in the first, second, and third-generation and focused on materials, efficiency, and output.
Solar Panel generation capacity
1st generation (traditional generation solar panel)
These traditional types of solar panels are mostly made of monocrystalline silicon or poly-crystal and are commonly used in regular (standard-typical) locations.
Mono-Crystalline Solar cell
To build solar panels with mono-crystalline, the highest purity silicon is using in this type .that’s why we can get the most efficiency above 20%.
These categories of cells are more widespread nowadays and you can easily figure out the type because of the uniform dark look octagonal shape and rounded edges. Now let’s take a look at some advantages and disadvantages.
Why Monocrystalline Solar Cells are the most popular approved material for solar panels ?
As we mentioned in previous essays, the sun is the strongest renewable source of generating energy which has been committed by beneficial opportunity to achieve the amount of electricity we need without sacrificing our planet earth, natural resources and hurting them. boosting solar panel technologies during decades, we begin to detect the vast majority of probabilities to put the sun’s energy into operational utilization. if our purpose is to gather up the huge energy from the sun as much as it is possible at a spot of tiny size, then we chose the great option, monocrystalline. the monocrystalline cell was first introduced in the 50s while after 30 decades, in the 80s, the polycrystalline was introduced as the second type. that’s why it is pretty well-known than other types of solar cells. to keep abreast with a standard report of efficiency rate during monitoring the solar cell system, monocrystalline deserve to have the best reputation than ever due to higher efficiency rate (between 10%-15%).whie another type of solar cells has been improved through decades to boost their efficiency rate gradually, the monocrystalline still grab the first position among others.
Pros
- High efficiency
As I clearly mentioned, monocrystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency rates of over 20 % to transform sunlight into electricity as they have made great pure silicone.
- Longevity
Researches and several tests have been shown that they are long-lasting systems with high performance which could operate for almost 25 years.
- Small Space
Because monocrystalline cells are mostly used in local climate, so it is pretty vital that customers are looking for a product which is using a small area with a highly efficient outcome
- Low light and high temperature
Monocrystalline solar cells adopt different approaches to absorb low light levels and higher temperature compared with polycrystalline even though, they both have an abridgment in functionality, the monocrystalline still is working better so.
Cons
- Cost
Manufacturing monocrystalline solar cells are associated with the specified and complicated process which could precisely increase initial costs in comparison with other types of solar panels
- Risk of devastation
Although we have already mentioned the longevity of the very elastic product, it is vital to remember that the panel’s architecture is basically fragile while they are frequently covered with a glass container. so we have to be careful about the location we are going to install the panels because different sorts of external factors like high winds, falling branches or birds might rise vandalism risk for you.
- Poor performance-low temperature
Monocrystalline solar cells are generally subjected to decrease performance in low temperatures which means they may fail to perform accurately in winter
Poly-Crystalline Solar Cells
You can easily determine polycrystalline solar panels because of square form, angles which are slightly cut, blue color, and speckled look .polycrystalline cells also known as mutlicrystalline panels which are manufactured by melting fresh vain silicone, and generally, they have a lower price that’s why they are more popular among homeowners to install them. But remember the efficiency rate is between 15% to 17 %and the lifetime is lower in high-temperature states. So we can hardly witness drastic differences between monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells and choosing them could intensely depend on your condition.
2st Generation solar panels
Different types of thin solar cells are introduced as a second generation.
If you want to make an appropriate choice with a decent cost, you’d better choose the thin film. The production stage is pretty easy and operates practically in conformity with one or more films of photovoltaic materials like silicone, cadmium, and copper.
So they have the more suitable cost-effective price and more flexible which could reach a lot more opportunities to be installed while they are less affected under high temperature .but we must be careful that thin-film solar panels take up more space with less efficient life span.
Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells
One of the most common places of amorphous Silicon Solar Cells is mounted on the device which basically uses triple layered technology.to give a brief summary of how do they look like, the thickness of these panels is about a micrometer. the efficiency rate is about 7 % but it is most affordable because of its low cost and has great indoor in low light performance.
3st Generation Solar Panels
The third generation still is relevant to thin-film solar panels but in chase of statistical significance, studies show they are more likely for a research and development phase.
Biohybrid Solar cells
A Biohybrid Solar cell is a great combination of organic materials and inorganic one but still, it is in the research phase. the first time in the laboratory was detected by the group of researchers from Vanderbilt University. the chief background idea behind this attractive story is pretty captivating, while scientists have been attempting to pattern the process of natural photosynthesis and turn to good use of photosystem. if you are interested in reading more specific information about biohybrid solar cells and how do they exactly works, you could read famous Americal Journal optic and photonics but just to present a brief summary, by taking advantage of combining photosystem layer and the commutation of chemical process to electricity, we expect to confront with the highest efficiency rate up to 1000 times bigger than the other types more than ever!
What are the main disadvantage of Biohybrid Solar cells ?
Although there are plus points of using biohybrid solar cells, there are some disadvantages like the normal solar cells are able to generate more power than the biohybrid types. also, the natural life cycle of the biohybrid type is shorter than other types. that’s why these two main issues put biohybrid cells in the research phase to work on their quality for better outcomes.
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