What are Solar Cells and Solar Panels? 

 

A solar cell, also known as “solar chips”, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that converts solar light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.

 

Individual solar cell devices can be combined to form solar panels, otherwise known as solar modules, or PV panels. Generally, a single junction silicon solar cell can produce a maximum open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 volts.

 

Solar panels are the core of solar power systems and the most important part of solar power systems.

 

At present, crystalline silicon solar panels (including monocrystalline and polycrystalline) are the most common solar panels, and their market share is over 90%, and it is still the mainstream for a long period of time in the future.

 

Solar Panel Classification: 

Monocrystalline silicon solar panel

The photoelectric conversion efficiency of monocrystalline silicon solar panels is ~ 18% - 20%,

It has higher efficiency compared to polycrystalline solar panel, while the cost is also higher than poly panels. Since monocrystalline silicon is generally encapsulated with tempered glass, it is durable and has a service life of 15 years and up to 25 years.

 

Polycrystalline solar panel

The manufacturing process of polycrystalline silicon solar panels is similar to that of monocrystalline silicon solar panels, but the efficiency of polycrystalline silicon solar panels is much lower, and its photoelectric conversion efficiency is about 16% - 18%. In terms of production cost, it is cheaper than monocrystalline silicon solar panels, the material is simple to manufacture, saves power consumption, and the total production cost is low, so it has been greatly developed. In addition, the life of polycrystalline silicon solar panels is also shorter than that of monocrystalline silicon solar panels. In terms of performance and price ratio, monocrystalline silicon solar panels are slightly better.

 

Amorphous silicon solar panel

Amorphous silicon solar panels are new thin film solar panels that appeared in 1976. They are completely different from single crystal silicon and polycrystalline silicon solar panels. The process is greatly simplified, the silicon material consumes less, and the power consumption is lower. The main advantage is that it can also generate electricity in low light conditions. However, the main problem of amorphous silicon solar panels is that the efficiency is low, the international advanced level is about 10%, and it is not stable enough. As time goes by, the conversion efficiency is attenuated.

 

Sunpower Solar Panel

SunPower solar panels are some of the most efficient panels on the market today. Its efficiency can be up to ~ 23%. If efficiency is your top priority, or if you have a limited amount of space and need to maximize your solar panel system’s production, then SunPower solar panels could be your best choice.

 

Test Conditions

(1) Since the output power of the solar panel depends on factors such as solar irradiance and solar panel temperature, the solar panel is measured under standard conditions (STC). The standard conditions are defined as: air quality AM1.5, light intensity 1000W /m2, temperature 25 ° C.

(2) Under this condition, the maximum power output by the solar panel is called peak power. In many cases, the peak power of the solar panel is usually measured by a solar simulator. The main factors affecting the output performance of solar panels are the following:

1) Load impedance

2) Sunshine intensity

3) Temperature

4) Shadow