The Working Principle and Structure of Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Panel

Solar panel technology has improved significantly over the years and a range of innovative solar panels are now being introduced to the market. When you're about to install a solar panel system, there are many things to consider, one of which is what kind of solar panels to get. Most solar panels currently on the market for residential solar systems can be divided into three categories: monocrystalline silicon solar panels, polycrystalline silicon solar panels, and thin film solar panels. All these types of solar cells are used to harness solar energy. However, each of them results in a solar panel with different characteristics. So what is a monocrystalline silicon solar panel?

1. What is a monocrystalline silicon solar panel?

Monocrystalline solar panels are solar panels that include monocrystalline solar cells. The panel takes its name from cylindrical silicon ingots, which are grown from high-purity single crystal silicon in the same way as semiconductors. Since the solar panel is constructed of single crystals, it gives electrons more room to move around for better current flow. Cylindrical ingots are cut into wafers to form units. To maximize the battery's utility, the circular wafers are wire-cut into octagonal wafers. These cells have a unique appearance due to their octagonal shape. They also have uniform colours.

2. Monocrystalline silicon solar panel structure

As mentioned above, monocrystalline silicon solar panels get their name from the way they are made. Each solar panel contains a silicon wafer made of single crystal silicon. Single crystals are formed using the Czochralski method, in which a "seed" crystal is placed in a vat of molten pure silicon at high temperatures. The seed is then pulled out and molten silicon forms around it, forming a crystal. The large crystals, also called ingots, are then sliced into thin slices and used to make solar cells. Typically, a single crystal panel will contain 60 or 72 solar cells, depending on the size of the panel. Most residential installations use 60-cell monocrystalline panels.

3. Working principle of monocrystalline solar cells

When sunlight hits a monocrystalline silicon solar panel, the solar panel absorbs energy and generates an electric field through a complex process. This electric field includes voltage and current and produces power controlled by the equation P(power) = V(voltage) x I(current). This power supply can be used directly to power devices running on direct current (DC). This power can also be converted to alternating current (AC) using an inverter.