Nowadays, solar is the world’s least expensive energy source. Many individuals wondering about how solar PV can be so productive and affordable while as yet giving “green” energy. Addressing that frequently asked question implies how solar-powered energy works, how solar panels are produced and what the parts of solar panels are. Most panels that are available on market, are made of monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin film. In this article, we take you through what the solar panels, what parts required to produce solar panel and how the different ways solar cell are made, etc.
What are Solar Panels?
Solar Panels are also referred to as photovoltaic cells (PV), which work to generate power from sunlight. Photovoltaic cells are associated electrically and flawlessly composed into a large frame that is known as a solar panel. The solar panels are made of silicon semiconductors that absorb sunlight and afterward convert it into power.
Right now, solar panels which are utilized for residential purpose, that are able to take around 20% of the sunlight they get and convert it into power. It is known as solar efficiency. There are a few different types of solar cells available that are utilized for commercial purposes. These can have an efficiency of up to 40%. Apparently, it will more expensive than the residential model.
A most significant aspect of solar technology is the way that advances in the field are continually being made, raising the quality and effectiveness. As expected, this will explore further development. If these feature increases, the cost of solar panels will keep falling which helps to make it more availability to a wide number of people.
Key components about making solar panels
Solar panels are usually made using a couple of key components: silicon, metal, and glass. Standard panels are either made using monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon.
How Solar Panels are made?
Solar photovoltaic is made with various parts, the most significant of which are silicon cells. Silicon, atomic number 14 on the periodic table, is a nonmetal with conductive properties that enable it to convert sunlight into electricity. At the point when light interacts with a silicon cell, it makes electrons be set into movement, which initiates a flow of power. This is known as the “photovoltaic effect.”
Silicon cells alone can’t provide power to your home. Silicon cells are paired with metal wiring, which enables the solar cell’s electrons to escape and supply power. Silicon arrives in various cell structures: single cell (monocrystalline), polycrystalline or amorphous forms and thin-film solar panels.
Monocrystalline solar panels
Monocrystalline: It is referred to as single-crystalline, these solar panels consist of one crystalline structure, giving them deep dark shading. Monocrystalline cells have the most noteworthy energy efficiency at around 15%-21%, which means they convert 15%-21% of the absorbed solar energy into electricity. It is considered the highest quality of the types of material.
Polycrystalline solar panels
A Polycrystalline cell is referred to as multi-crystalline cells. It has silicon impurities than monocrystalline panels. This makes it less efficient, normally converting around 13-16% and more affordable. Polycrystalline solar panels are first introduced in 1981.It is considered as mid-range panels in terms of cost and efficiency out of three types materials utilized.
Thin Film solar panels
Thin film solar panels are made by placing a few thin layers of photovoltaic over one another to makes the module. There are a couple of various kinds of thin film solar panel, and the way by which they differ from one another comes down to the material utilized for the PV layers. The sorts are as per the following:
- Amorphous silicon
- Cadmium telluride
- Organic PV cells
- Copper indium gallium selenide
Thin film solar panels are considered as the least expensive solar panels and these panels have very low energy efficiency.. The low energy efficiency and simplicity of producing these panels makes them appropriate for commercial properties where there is more space accessible.
Solar panel manufacturing process
Monocrystalline solar panels are made from one large size silicon block and these are created in silicon wafer formats. The manufacturing procedure includes cutting individual wafers of silicon that can be attached to a solar panel. Mono-crystalline silicon cells are more effective than polycrystalline or amorphous solar cells. Making individual monocrystalline wafers is more work escalated, and consequently, they are more costly to produce than polycrystalline cells. Monocrystalline cells have dark shading and are regularly connected with the sleek look of SunPower’s top-notch panels.
Polycrystalline solar cells are silicon cells, but instead of being framed in a large block and cut into wafer formats, they are made by melting silicons together. Many silicon atoms are dissolved and afterward re-combined into the panel itself. Polycrystalline cells are less effective and more affordable than monocrystalline cells. They have a bluish shade that is connected with the stylish of SolarWorld solar panels.
Amorphous silicon cells make flexible solar panel materials that are utilized in thin film solar panels. Amorphous silicon cells are non-crystalline and rather are appended to a substrate like glass, plastic or metal. In spite of the fact that a perfect use case for flexibility, amorphous solar cells are inefficient than mono or polycrystalline cells. First Solar is well known for manufacturing of thin film panels in the U.S.
After a solar cell is made; solar panel manufacturers connect the electrical equipment. Then manufacturers add anti-reflective coating and lodging the whole framework in a metal and glass casing.
What are the parts of a solar panel?
The materials used to produce the cells for solar panels are just a part of the solar panel itself. The solar panel manufacturing process has six different components that bring together. Here are the basic parts of a solar panel:
- Silicon sunlight based cells
- Metal frame (aluminum)
- Bus wire
- Plexiglas
- Glass sheet for casing
- Standard 12V Wire
In addition, a standard solar panel incorporates a glass casing at the front of the panel to include strength and protection for the silicon PV. Under the glass outside, the panel has a casing for protection and a defensive back sheet, which helps for heat dissemination and humidity inside the panel. The protection is especially significant on the grounds that temperature increments will prompt a diminishing inefficiency, bringing about a lower solar power yield. In this manner, PV manufacturers must go to additional lengths to ensure that light is being absorbed without the technology being overheated.
