Types of Solar Cells

Overview

Photovoltaics are the simplest form of alternative energy. There are no moving parts in photovoltaic modules and little maintenance is required. A photovoltaic converts the sun’s energy into electricity which is either used immediately (grid intertie or water pumping) or is stored for future use (batteries). Solar electric systems are modular, allowing you to start with a small system. As your power requirements grow, you can easily add more modules.

There are many different types of solar cells available, with many new developments expected in the years to come. The whole trick to PV's widespread adoption is getting the dollar per watt lower.

Types of Solar Cells

Single Crystal
Single crystal silicon cells are extremely thin wafers of silicon cut from a single silicon crystal. These are the most efficient type of silicon cells and have a life expectancy exceeding 25 years. The cells are fragile and must be mounted in a rigid frame. You can tell it is a single crystal due to the uniform, rounded individual cells.

Multi Crystal
Multi crystal silicon cells are also extremely thin wafers of silicon but are cut from multiple crystals grown together in an ingot. They are similar to single crystal cells in life expectancy and fragility. However, they are slightly less efficient than single crystal cells and require more surface area to produce a given amount of electricity. These types of cells are usually square and will have a varied appearance.

Amorphous Silicon(a-Si) Solar Technology
Amorphous silicon cells are made by depositing a micro thin layer of silicon directly onto a sheet of stainless steel. Because amorphous absorbs light more efficiently than its crystalline counterpart, the amorphous solar cell thickness can be 100 times less, thereby significantly reducing cost of materials. By utilizing a flexible, stainless steel substrate and polymer-based encapsulates, products utilizing this technology can be very lightweight, flexible, and durable. No parts are broken during shipping and units are easy to transport to remote rural areas, thus saving on shipping costs.

Spheral Solar™
Spheral Solar™ technology is a revolutionary solar electricity technology breakthrough that provides an extremely versatile and cost-effective method of generating solar electricity. The result of over 40 worldwide patents, this unique proprietary technology comprises thousands of tiny silicon spheres, bonded between thin flexible aluminum foil substrates to form solar cells which are then assembled into durable, lightweight modules that can be applied to virtually any surface.