|
Are there different types of solar cells? |
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions -
Photovoltaic
|
More than 90% of solar modules produced are made from crystalline silicon solar cells.
Each solar cell is about 100mm-150mm in square and 300um in thickness (0.3mm).
In smaller products like solar garden lights, manufacturers cut the
cell down to smaller bits then put them together again to make a module.
For other consumer products like calculators, they often employ amorphous silicon solar cells.
The active layer is about 2um thin. We usually call it a thin film technology.
The other commercialized thin film technology includes polycrystalline
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Copper Indium diSelenide (CIGS or CIS) and
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs).
There are also other technologies under development, like thin silicon
crystalline, spheral crystalline silicon, organic cells and
nano-material solar cells.
|
