Crystalline Solar Cell

Crystalline Solar Cells are the most widely used technology for converting sunlight into electrical energy. They are based on high-purity silicon in crystalline form. The crystalline structure gives these solar cells high conversion efficiency and a long lifespan.

Functionality

Silicon as a Semiconductor: Silicon is a semiconductor material that can be made electrically conductive through targeted doping with other elements (e.g., boron, phosphorus).
p-n Junction: A p-n junction is created in a crystalline solar cell, where an electric field is formed.
Photovoltaic Effect: When sunlight hits the solar cell, light particles (photons) release electrons from the silicon lattice. These free electrons move in the electric field of the p-n junction, generating an electric current.

Types of Crystalline Solar Cells

Monocrystalline Solar Cells: Consist of a single, large silicon crystal. They are characterized by high efficiency and an appealing, dark blue color.
Polycrystalline Solar Cells: Consist of multiple smaller silicon crystals fused together. They are cheaper to produce than monocrystalline cells but have slightly lower efficiency.

Advantages of Crystalline Solar Cells

High Efficiency: Crystalline solar cells achieve efficiencies of over 20%.
Long Lifespan: With proper installation and maintenance, crystalline solar modules last for over 25 years.
Mature Technology: The production and application of crystalline solar cells have been established for decades.

Disadvantages of Crystalline Solar Cells

Higher Production Costs: Compared to some thin-film solar cells, crystalline solar cells are more complex and expensive to manufacture.
Temperature Behavior: The performance of crystalline solar cells decreases slightly at high temperatures.