P-Si Solar Panels

Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 18

Polycrystalline

Silicon
(P-Si) Solar Panels
G R O U P 2 ( M A B E L , S H AW N , WA F Y, A D L I N A , A H M A D A M I R )
SMJC4623 ENERGY CONVERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MJIIT UTM KL
1. DEFINITION
2. PROS AND

Content
CONS
3. EFFICIENCY
4. TECHNICAL
5. ECONOMIC
6. ENVIRONMENT
Types of
Solar
Panels in
the Market

There are 3 types of technology utilized in the solar panels available:


(1) thin film amorphous; (2) monocrystalline; and (3) polycrystalline.
The first solar panels based on polycrystalline
silicon, which also is known as polysilicon (p-
Si) and multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si), were
introduced to the market in 1981.

Unlike monocrystalline-based solar panels,


What is a
polycrystalline solar panels do not require the
Czochralski process.
p-Si Solar
Panel? [1]

Raw silicon is melted and poured into a square


mould, which is cooled and cut into perfectly
square wafers.

[1] Energy Informative. (2020). Which Solar Panel Type is Best? Mono- vs. Polycrystalline vs. Thin Film.
Retrieved from https://energyinformative.org/best-solar-panel-monocrystalline-polycrystalline-thin-film/
Differences
MONOCRYSTALLINE POLYCRYSTALLINE
Manufacturing of
Crystalline Solar Panels
•The great majority of solar PV is currently made from crystalline
silicon cells.
•These can be either poly-crystalline - where the silicon is made up
of numerous individual crystals, or mono-crystalline silicon -
which are cut from a huge single crystal.
•The process by which a single crystal of silicon is grown is called
the Czochralski Process. The crystal is pulled from a molten
crucible of liquid silicon by dipping in a single 'seed' crystal and then
slowly pulling away from the liquid surface while rotating at the
same time. By carefully controlling the speed of withdrawal and the
temperature gradient in the crucible a solidified single crystal pillar
shape with the same atomic orientation as the seed is created. [1]
[1] Viridian Concepts Ltd. (2017). Solar Cells. Retrieved from
http://www.viridiansolar.co.uk/resources-4-2-photovoltaic-solar-cells.html
Pros and Cons of P-Si Solar Panels [1]

PROS CONS
1. Simpler and lesser cost of making 1. The efficiency is typically 13-16%. 
•Lower silicon purity makes polycrystalline solar panels not
• The amount of waste silicon is less compared to
quite as efficient as monocrystalline solar panels.
monocrystalline.
2. Lower space-efficiency
2. Tend to have slightly lower heat tolerance •A larger surface is needed to output the same electrical
than monocrystalline solar panels ** power as that of monocrystalline silicon.
• This means p-Si solar panels are slightly worse than •However, this does not mean every monocrystalline solar
monocrystalline solar panels in high temperatures. panel perform better than those based on polycrystalline
silicon.
• Heat can affect the performance of solar panels and shorten
their lifespans. 3. Less aesthetically pleasing
• But this effect is minor, and most homeowners do not •Monocrystalline and thin-film solar panels tend to be more
need to take it into account. aesthetically pleasing since they have a more uniform look
compared to the speckled blue color of polycrystalline silicon.
[1] Energy Informative. (2020). Which Solar Panel Type is Best? Mono- vs. Polycrystalline vs. Thin Film.
Retrieved from https://energyinformative.org/best-solar-panel-monocrystalline-polycrystalline-thin-film/
Comparison between m-Si and p-Si Solar Panels [1] Energysage. (2019). Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar
panels: what you need to know. Retrieved from
https://www.energysage.com/solar/101/monocrystalline-vs-polycryst
alline-solar-panels/
Technical
Anatomy of a Solar Cell
Why Silicon?
Silicon is a semi-conductor. It
can either conduct the electron
or insulate them based on the Silicon atoms have four outer electron that form a stable
crystal structure when bonded
situation

Mixing silicon with elements that have different


number of electrons creates an unbalanced
structure
• Boron has three outer electrons. When mixed with
silicon, it creates a hole in the structure
• The holes are mobile and carry a positive charge,
resulting in P-type silicon

• Phosphorus has five outer electrons. Silicon bonds


tightly to 4 of those electrons, leaving the fifth to
roam free.
• The free electrons carry a negative charge creating
N-type silicon.
The P-N structure

• When P-type and N-type silicon are layered


together, some of the electrons and holes come
together, forming an electric field
• The electric field repels the free holes and
electrons, keeps them moving between layers.
• The energy from sunlight disrupts the bonds in both
P-type and N-type silicon, creating free-roaming
electrons and holes in both layer.
• Free electrons and holes zapped loose by sunlight are
forced back into their proper layer.

• If both layers are connected with circuit, attractive


force will drive the electrons and holes together,
creating an electric current.
From sunlight to electric current

• Solar cells generate direct current


(DC), but most appliances run on
alternating current (AC) .
• Direct Current runs from solar cells to
inverter forming Alternate Current for
home use.

Save On Energy (2002). How Solar Panels Work. Retrieved from https://www.saveonenergy.com/how-solar-panel
Economic
• The energy payback time (EPT) depends on various factors: Location, Solar irradiation,
Efficiency, etc.
• Case studies: crystalline PV panels have an EPT of 1.7 to 1.9 years when installed in Southern
Europe.

EPT for different PV system


Source: Dubey, Swapnil & Jadhav, Nilesh & Zakirova, Betka. (2013). Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Silicon Based Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies. Energy Procedia. 33. 322–334. 10.101
Economic
Market
Market researcher
researcher expect
expect US,
US,
Market
Market sustain
sustain without
without China,
China, SE
SE Asia
Asia and
and Middle
Middle East
East
subsides
subsides to
to reach
reach sustainable
sustainable market
market

Technological
Technological innovations
innovations ::
Reduce
Reduce manufacturing
manufacturing cost,
cost, Able
Able to
to make
make solar
solar power
power
increase
increase efficiency,
efficiency, improve
improve competitive
competitive
balance
balance
Key Drivers
Diversified
Diversified capital
capital flow
flow from
from
financial
financial and
and corporate
corporate
sponsor
sponsor

Opportunity
Opportunity for
for consolidating
consolidating
Penetration
Penetration of
of conglomerate
conglomerate several
several global
global players
players with
with the
the
participant
participant strong
strong market
market brands
brands in
in the
the next
next
five
five years
years

Source: Dubey, Swapnil & Jadhav, Nilesh & Zakirova, Betka. (2013). Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Silicon Based Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies. Energy Procedia. 33. 322–334. 10.1016/j.egypro.2013.05.073.
Social
and
Economic
Impacts
of Silicon-
based PV

Source: Dubey, Swapnil & Jadhav, Nilesh & Zakirova, Betka. (2013). Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Silicon Based
Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies. Energy Procedia. 33. 322–334. 10.1016/j.egypro.2013.05.073.
Environment
• Using solar energy may have some indirect negative impacts on the environment.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the methods for determining the environmental
impacts from PV. Most LCAs of PV have focused on two categories: CO2 equivalents per kWh
and Energy Pay-Back Time (EPBT). EPBT = Einput/Esaved
• Environmental impacts of Polycrystalline Si PV:
1. The Energy Pay-Back Time (EPBT) ranges from 1.5 to 2.6 years.
2. The Cradle-to-Gate of CO2-eq/kWh ranges from 28.5 g to 69 g.
3. Hazardous materials is used for PV manufacturing (Purification of Si)
• However, the environmental effect of polycrystalline cells is lower than monocrystalline cells
as less energy is required for the manufacturing process.

• The EPBT for polycrystalline cells is also shorter than monocrystalline for the same reason.
Source: Dubey, S., Jadhav, N. Y., & Zakirova, B. (2012). Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Silicon Based Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies. Energy Procedia 33 ( 2013 ) 322 – 334

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy