Semiconductor materials for solar cells mainly include silicon and thin film materials.
Silicon is the most common semiconductor material used in solar cells. It features high photoelectric conversion efficiency, good stability, long service life and mature production technology. Silicon solar cells can be divided into monocrystalline silicon cells and polycrystalline silicon cells. Monocrystalline silicon cells have a higher efficiency, but the manufacturing cost is also higher, while polycrystalline silicon cells have a slightly lower efficiency, but the manufacturing cost is relatively low.
In addition to silicon materials, thin-film solar cells are also an important type of solar cells. Thin-film solar cells make rreference to devices that use thin film technology to convert solar energy into electrical energy. There are many types of materials for thin film solar cells, including copper indium gallium selenide, cadmium sensitized solar cells, etc. These materials have high photoelectric conversion efficiency and low production costs, thus occupying a niche in the photovoltaic market.
Advantages of solar cells
1. No geographic restrictions: As long as there is sunshine, solar cells can be installed and used regardless of geographic location and location.
2. The power generation process is simple: The power generation process of solar cells does not involve complex links such as combustion, so it produces no waste gas and has virtually no impact on the environment .
3. Static operation: Solar cells have no moving parts, so there is no wear, high reliability and no noise.
4. On-demand assembly: Solar cell power can be assembled to any size as required.
5. Convenient for independent and networked use: Solar cells can be used as independent energy sources or networked with other energy sources.
6. Long lifespan: The lifespan of solar cells generally can reach more than 20 years, which is much higher than that of some other batteries.
The main material of solar panels is monocrystalline silicon or polycrystalline silicon wafers.
The photoelectric conversion efficiency of monocrystalline silicon solar cells is about 18%, the highest reaching 24%. It's about the efficiencyHighest photoelectric conversion efficiency among all types of solar cells, but the production cost is high. is very high, so much so that it cannot be used universally. Since monocrystalline silicon is encapsulated in tempered glass and waterproof resin, it is strong and durable and has a lifespan of up to 25 years.
The manufacturing process of polycrystalline silicon solar cells is similar to that of monocrystalline silicon solar cells, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency of polycrystalline silicon solar cells is much lower, and its conversion efficiency photoelectric is about 16%. In terms of production cost, it is cheaper than monocrystalline silicon solar cells. The material is easy to manufacture, saves energy, and the overall production cost is low, so it has been widely developed.
Application fieldsion of solar panels:
1. User Solar Power Supply: Small power supply ranging from 10-100W, used in remote areas without electricity such as plateaus, islands, pastoral areas, border defense Electricity for military and civilian life such as outposts, such as lighting, TVs, tape recorders, etc., 3-5kW household rooftop grid-connected power generation system, photovoltaic water pump: solve the problem of deep water consumption and irrigation in areas without electricity.
2. Transportation field: such as navigation beacon lights, road/railroad signal lights, warning/signal lights, Yuxiang street lights, high-altitude obstacle lights, highway wireless telephone booths /railroads, route changes without supervision. food, etc.
3. Domaicommunication/communication ne: unattended solar microwave relay station, optical cable maintenance station, broadcasting/communication/paging power system, rural operator telephone photovoltaic system, small communication machine, power supply Soldier GPS, etc.
4. In the fields of petroleum, oceans and meteorology, cathodic protection solar energy systems for oil pipelines and reservoir valves, emergency and backup power supplies for oil drilling platforms, detection equipment oceans, meteorological/hydrological observation. equipment, etc
5. Lighting power: such as garden lights, street lights, portable lights, camping lights, climbing lights, fishing lights, black light lights, rubber tapping lights, lamps energy saving, etc.