Photovoltaic panels or modules convert solar energy into electricity. They are made of individual solar cells that generate energy when exposed to sunlight. This photovoltaic process is based on a special material that is present in almost all solar cells: silicon semiconductor element, which has natural electrical properties.
Silicon is the most common element in nature after oxygen, making it extremely cheap and virtually inexhaustible natural resource for the creation of photovoltaic panels. Since it can be used in the photovoltaic industry, the process is complicated and passes through a plurality of phases. Here are the types of cells available
– Monocrystalline solar cells
– Polycrystalline solar cells
– Thin-film solar cells
Monocrystalline solar cells are black or dark blue in color. They are made from a single crystal and have the same coefficient of efficiency of all solar cells. They are preferred in situations where the available space for placement of your photovoltaic panels is limited. Their lifetime is at least 20 years.
Polycrystalline solar cells have a blue surface. Their crystal structure is only partial, which gives them a lower voltage, which in turn means lower coefficient of efficiency. But the expense of polycrystalline cells is easier to manufacture, less expensive and most widely used technology in the photovoltaic sector.
Thin-film modules are dark red or dark brown in color. They are made of thin amorphous silicon layer. Due to the small amount of material required for their production and consequently their low price, they are included in projects where you need to cover large areas with photovoltaic systems. They have a low coefficient of efficiency in bright sunshine, but offer many other advantages in low or diffused light and in climates with higher average annual temperatures.
How light and temperature influence the efficiency of photovoltaic panels?
The more exposure to sunlight, the more voltage is produced by solar cells, there is also a higher productivity of the photovoltaic installation. Morning and evening, and during fog or when there is a thin cloud cover, productivity is lower, but still photovoltaic systems produce electricity in diffuse light conditions.
The lower is the temperature, the higher the voltage is generated in the solar cells, and accordingly the higher is the production of electricity. This may seem paradoxical, but solar panels unlike solar collectors work better in colder than in hot weather. Good ventilation of the solar modules reduces their internal temperature thereby increases their performance.
Produce clean energy by recycling
The panels are constructed of materials which can be recycled for new solar modules or other products. Thus, recycling valuable materials such as glass, aluminum and silicon can be protected, which in turn leads to less waste and lower waste of energy used to produce the panels. This naturally contributes to sustainable development of the environment. This not only reduces carbon emissions, but also the overall costs. For more information visit us: solarbrokerscanada.com.
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