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| | = Solar Cells = | | = Solar Cells = |
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| − | A solar cell or [[Photovoltaics|photovoltaic]] cell is a semiconductor device that converts light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. The most common material in solar cell production is silicon that can be applied in different ways. | + | A solar cell or [[Photovoltaics|photovoltaic]] cell is a semiconductor device that converts light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. The most common material in solar cell production is silicon that can be applied in different ways. |
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| | + | == '''Monocrystalline Silicon PV''' C'''ells''' == |
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| − | == '''Monocrystalline Silicon PV''' C'''ells''' ==
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| | Monocrystalline silicon PV cells are manufactured using a single-crystal growth method and have commercial efficiencies between 15 % and 18 %. | | Monocrystalline silicon PV cells are manufactured using a single-crystal growth method and have commercial efficiencies between 15 % and 18 %. |
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| − | '''PV cells made from silicon ribbons''' demonstrate an average efficiency around 14 %. | + | '''PV cells made from silicon ribbons''' demonstrate an average efficiency around 14 %. |
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| | + | == '''Polycrystalline Silicon PV Cells''' == |
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| − | == '''Polycrystalline Silicon PV Cells''', ==
| + | Polycrystalline or multicrystalline silicon PV cells are usually manufactured from a melting and solidification process, are less expensive to produce but are marginally less efficient, with conversion efficiencies around 14 %. |
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| − | usually manufactured from a melting and solidification process, are less expensive to produce but are marginally less efficient, with conversion efficiencies around 14 %.
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| + | == '''Thin Film PV Cells''' == |
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| − | == '''Thin Film Cells''' ==
| + | Thin film PV cells are constructed by depositing extremely thin layers of photovoltaic semi-conductor materials onto a backing material such as glass, stainless steel or plastic, show stable efficiencies in the range of 7 % to 13 %. Thin film materials commercially used are amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS). |
| − | constructed by depositing extremely thin layers of photovoltaic semi-conductor materials onto a backing material such as glass, stainless steel or plastic, show stable efficiencies in the range of 7 % to 13 %. Thin film materials commercially used are amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS). | + | |
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| | Commercially available thin film modules: | | Commercially available thin film modules: |
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| | = Solar Modules = | | = Solar Modules = |
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| | Modules can be connected in series and/or in parallel depending on the system requirements. A serial connection increases the voltage, a parallel connection increases the current. | | Modules can be connected in series and/or in parallel depending on the system requirements. A serial connection increases the voltage, a parallel connection increases the current. |
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| | == Comparison of Different Types of PV Modules <br> == | | == Comparison of Different Types of PV Modules <br> == |
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| − | <br> | + | |
| | + | {| style="width: 564px; height: 294px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | valign="top" width="205" | |
| | + | '''<span>Cell material</span>''' |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="143" | |
| | + | '''<span>Module efficiency</span>''' |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="267" | |
| | + | '''<span>Surface area needed for 1 kWp</span>''' |
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| | + | |- |
| | + | | valign="top" width="205" | |
| | + | <span>Monocrystalline silicon</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="143" | |
| | + | <span>15-18 %</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="267" | |
| | + | <span>7-9 m²</span> |
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| | + | |- |
| | + | | valign="top" width="205" | |
| | + | <span>Polycrystalline silicon</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="143" | |
| | + | <span>13-16 %</span> |
| | + | |
| | + | | valign="top" width="267" | |
| | + | <span>8-9 m²</span> |
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| | + | |- |
| | + | | valign="top" width="205" | |
| | + | <span>Micromorphe tandem (aµ-Si)</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="143" | |
| | + | <span>6-9 %</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="267" | |
| | + | <span>9-12 m²</span> |
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| | + | |- |
| | + | | valign="top" width="205" | |
| | + | <span>Thin film:</span> |
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| | + | <span>Copper-indium-diselenide (CIS)</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="143" | |
| | + | <span>10-12 %</span> |
| | + | |
| | + | | valign="top" width="267" | |
| | + | <span>9-11 m²</span> |
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| | + | |- |
| | + | | valign="top" width="205" | |
| | + | <span>Thin film:</span> |
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| | + | Cadmium-telluride (CdTe), |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="143" | |
| | + | <span>9-11 %</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="267" | |
| | + | <span>11-13 m²</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="205" | |
| | + | <span>Amorphus silicon (a-Si)</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="143" | |
| | + | <span>6-8 %</span> |
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| | + | | valign="top" width="267" | |
| | + | <span>13-20 m²</span> |
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| | + | |} |
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| | [[Solar Main Page|⇒ Back to Solar Section]] | | [[Solar Main Page|⇒ Back to Solar Section]] |
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| | [[Category:Solar]] | | [[Category:Solar]] |
Monocrystalline silicon PV cells are manufactured using a single-crystal growth method and have commercial efficiencies between 15 % and 18 %.
Polycrystalline or multicrystalline silicon PV cells are usually manufactured from a melting and solidification process, are less expensive to produce but are marginally less efficient, with conversion efficiencies around 14 %.
Thin film PV cells are constructed by depositing extremely thin layers of photovoltaic semi-conductor materials onto a backing material such as glass, stainless steel or plastic, show stable efficiencies in the range of 7 % to 13 %. Thin film materials commercially used are amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS).
The peak power output of a solar module depends on the number of cells connected and their size. Module performance is generally rated under Standard Test Conditions (STC) : irradiance of 1,000 W/m², solar spectrum of AM 1.5 and module temperature at 25°C. Solar modules are rated in peak watts [Wp] according to their output under STC. Thus, a 50 Wp module can be expected to supply 50 W of power under optimal conditions. The performance is reduced by high temperatures.
Modules can be connected in series and/or in parallel depending on the system requirements. A serial connection increases the voltage, a parallel connection increases the current.
