Solar Cells.

Solar Cells

This is a cross section of a Solar Cell:

More about Solar Cells:

Solar Cells, also commonly known as photovoltaic(PV) cells, are the main cells which make up solar panels and used in the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. They are made of semiconducting materials which converts radiation into electrical energy, the most common material solar cells are made of is Silicon, and come in varieties of crystalline and thin-film types, below is a table describing the differences between the two.

One reason why Solar Cells can be both effective and ineffective is because the strength of the electrical current produced is dependant on the intensity of the light and solar radiation on it, affecting the efficiency of solar cells in different parts of the world, whereby in places such as antartica it is not advised, while in the Sahara desert it is very applicable.

In addition, solar cells can be combined with other solar cells to form a module, and then to an array, allowing for a greater efficiency within the same circuit, and does not require huge adjustments unlike other electrical systems.

Solar cells are also coated with anti-reflective material at the top, allowing for solar cells to absorb the maximum amount of radiation possible, and producing the greatest possible electrical current. The make-up of the solar cell, involving Tin Oxide, Aluminium, and EVA

Tin Oxide is used in Solar Panels as it is a good electrical conductor as well as being transparent, allowing for the maximum possible light to pass through as light is broken down in a solar cells, this allows for greater efficiency and higher productivity.

Differences between Monocrystalline and Thin-film Solar Panels

1) Monocrystalline Solar Panels require much less surface area, and is equally efficient and commonly used in grid-connect packages

2) Cheaper and easier to install than Thin-film Solar Panels

3) Monocrystalline Solar Panels are more efficient in producing energy compared to Thin-film solar panels

4) Some Thin-Film Solar panels are known to use cadmium telluride(CdTe) which while does not pose a problem when used, are toxic and highly expensive to dispose of properly.

5) Monocrystalline solar panels are fairly durable, some from the 1970s still being used and being able to survive space travel.

6) Flexible thin-film panels are well-suited in being placed onto curved surfaces, and are highly-effective in grid and mobile applications as they are lightweight and easily carried around.

Frequently asked Questions(FAQ):

1) If Solar Panels are so efficient, why isn’t it being used in every household?
Solar Cells which make up the solar panels are expensive, due to the materials such as silicon being expensive.

2) Since Solar Panels are expensive, why is it that some rich countries don’t afford to use it?

Certain countries such as Singapore, despite having the proper amounts of sunlight and money to afford it, has a limited amount of land space, with people living in high-rise buildings. These high-rise buildings restrict the use and installation of solar panels and solar cells, while other countries such as Russia, which despite having both the land space and money, are affected by environmental factors such as sunlight, which will affect the productivity of solar panels

3) Since Solar Panels thrive in large areas with a lot of sunlight, why hasn’t Egypt set up a solar power plant in the desert?

Egypt, despite having the proper factors, is affected by the Maintenance cost of the solar panels, which is caused due to the constant dust storms in the area, affecting the productivity of these Solar Panels.

4) Is it recommended to buy monocrystalline solar panels or thin-film solar panels?

The type of solar panel you should get depends on the purpose it is being bought for, for example, for long term house use, it is recommended to buy monocrystalline solar panels due to its durability and effectiveness,while thin-film solar panels are more effective for travelling as it is lightweight, and can be integrated into products.