The monocrystalline solar cell (c-Si) is the father of modern solar power. These single-crystal silicon cells are made from cylindrical ingots (an oblong block of silicon) by carefully sawing off thin wafers and then depositing them onto a rigid, glass substrate.
Solar panels made with c-Si solar cells are easy to recognize and are evidence of one disadvantage to this type of cell. Because monocrystalline solar cells are cut from cylindrical ingots, they do not completely cover a square solar cell module without wasting a lot of silicon in the process. For that reason, c-Si solar panels tend to look polka-dotted, with gaps at all corners of each solar cell.
c-Si solar cells are expensive. But they are also the most efficient solar cell in commercial use today, averaging about 20 percent conversion efficiency. However, it is rare to see the polka dot panels anymore because of the wasted space (or wasted silicon) inherent in their production. Polycrystalline (or multicrystalline) solar cells are less efficient but also less expensive and wasteful. For that reason, these solar cells are taking over the bulk silicon market.
Monocrystalline Solar Cells / Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells / Gallium Arsenide Solar Cells / CIGS Solar Cells / Polycrystalline Solar Cells / Copper Indium Selenide Solar CellsInterested in Home Solar Energy?
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