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Semiconductors are the special materials which make up a “Solar” or “Photovoltaic” cell of which the most common used is “Silicon”. When light source energies strike the cell(s) a part of the source is absorbed by the semiconductor material which loosens electrons allowing them to move freely.
Silicon is a poor conductor of electricity so further ingredients, such as phosphorous and boron are added to the mix to create the “semiconductor”. Adding these ingredients allows the silicon to conduct electricity and also allows electrons freed by the light absorption to flow in a certain direction. Placing metal contacts on the top and bottom of the solar cell allows the current generated to be drawn of and used to perform work.
Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline Solar Collectors are modules consisting of an aluminium framed sheet of highly durable low reflective, tempered glass that has had individual solar cells adhered to the inner glass surface which are wired together in a series parallel configuration so as to obtain the necessary voltage and current.
Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline individual cells are wired in series strings to increase the module’s voltage and the series strings are wired in parallel to increase the current of the module. Glass or Tedler sheeting is used to protect the back of the cells and form the back of the module.
The parallel connections are brought through the back of the Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline protective sheeting and then connected to a weather proof junction box which is a permanent mount on the back of the Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline module. This junction box is where the output connections are made.
Several Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline solar modules wired together are what forms the solar panel/collector.
There are two types of solar cells – Monocrystalline & Polycrystalline which are the technologies used today form solar panels.
Monocrystalline (single crystal) solar cells are cut from a silicon boule that is grown from a single crystal – this means the crystal has been grown in only one plane or direction. Monocrystalline are more expensive to manufacture and have a slightly higher efficiency than do the Polycrystalline cells which has the result of smaller individual cell and thus typically a slightly smaller module.
Polycrystalline solar cells are created from multicrystalline technology and are cut from silicon boule that has grown from multifaceted crystalline material – a crystal that has grown in multiple directions. Polycrystalline solar cells have slightly lower efficiency which results in a larger individual cell and therefore creates a larger module.
The advent of new silicon nitride Polycrystalline (multycrystalline) cells has made efficiency even higher than similar sized Monocrystalline (polycrystalline) cells.
It is always important to remember that 100 watt Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline module is a 100 watt module whether it is made from Monocrystalline cells or Polycrystalline cells.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Barnfield
I hope you’ve been enjoying my posts lately. I thought I might do something different today and rustle up a few bits of info from around the WWW. These are some of the news items and blog posts that have been popular over the last few weeks. Leave me your thoughts.
SunPower claims new solar cell efficiency record of 24.2 percent …
“This new world record demonstrates SunPower's ability to extend our lead in manufacturing the world's highest efficiency solar cells,” said Bill Mulligan, vice president of technology and development for SunPower. …
HowStuffWorks "How Solar Cells Work"
Solar cells use sunlight to produce electricity. But is the 'solar revolution' upon us? Learn all about solar cells, silicon solar cells and solar power. … In fact, photovoltaics — which were once used almost exclusively in space, powering satellites' electrical systems as far back as 1958 — are being used more and more in less exotic ways. The technology continues to pop up in new devices all the time, from sunglasses to electric vehicle charging stations. …
Global Solar Technology – LDK Solar to invest in new solar cell …
Joomla – the dynamic portal engine and content management system, LDK Solar to invest in new solar cell and module facility.
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