Solar panels vary in efficiency. In other words, some convert more of the Sun's energy to electricity than others. In this article, we take a look at the various types of solar panel and their performance, and also explore the current leading edge in solar photovoltaic (solar PV) technology.
Almost all modern solar panels are manufactured from Silicon. Different forms of Silicon provide different efficiencies in terms of the percentage of sunlight converted to usable energy.
The most efficient variants use monocrystalline Silicon, meaning composed almost completely of Silicon in such a way that the molecules form one continuous crystal lattice. This form of Silicon is the standard for the electronics industry, and is an excellent conductor.
Other variants include amorphous Silicon, in which the crystal lattice is broken and unordered, and polycrystalline Silicon, which is made of smaller ordered crystals.
While monocrystalline Silicon is more efficient, it is also more expensive compared to the other variants.
In either form, thin 'wafers' of Silicon are shaped into photovoltaic cells, which are then grouped together to form solar panels.
Photons ('bits' of energy from the Sun) hit the Silicon and dislodge electrons from the crystal lattice. The solar cells are designed so that the electrons can only flow one way, and this flow produces direct current (DC) electricity. A device called an inverter then changes the DC to AC to power your home.
The average efficiency for silicon-based solar panels is around 16%. While that doesn't sound much, remember that the panels cost nothing to run beyond the installation fee. So that 16% is practically free energy. Advances in technology are pushing this average closer to the theoretical limit of around 29%. The highest recorded efficiency of a Silicon solar panel is currently around 25%.
Technological advancements have pushed this theoretical limit higher, by including other methods and materials in the construction of the solar panels. Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that adding a thin film of nanoparticles (extremely small particles) of Silicon could increase efficiency.
Cadmium Telluride is a crystalline compound that can replace the Silicon film of nanoparticles. The creation and application of this compound is significantly cheaper than its Silicon counterpart without losing any efficiency.
Organic compounds are currently being investigated, replacing Silicon with easier to produce Carbon based compounds. While this would result in better, cheaper solar panels, the technology is still in its infancy, and the current %10 efficiency does not make them commercially viable yet.
Advancements are being made all the time, and solar PV has only recently reached a level that justifies a cost-to-energy ratio for home use. With further improvements to the technology, solar panels could become a popular choice for supplying a percentage of a home's energy needs.
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