October 30, 2023
Technology development and support policies are actively being implemented to distribute new and renewable energy worldwide. Among them, solar power has the highest recognition and usage penetration rate. Now, if you pass the road in Korea, you can easily find them on the roof of a bus stop, the roof of a school, the roof of a parking lot, the roof of a house, and small panels in a flower bed. There are many reasons for this popularization, but it is because of its relatively low maintenance price compared to other renewable energy and its high accessibility to install anywhere easily and simply if there is a space to install. As the solar market has become active even at the private level, the types and prices of solar panels vary widely, and panels incorporating new technologies are being released in various types.
Before we look at the types of solar panels, let's first look at what solar panels do. One module consists of dozens of cells that absorb light from the sun. Cells absorb sunlight and convert it into DC power when light molecules from the sun hit the panel's surface. This process is called the photovoltaic effect. The electricity we use at home is AC, and in the photovoltaic power system, direct current generated by panels is converted into alternating current through inverters. In other words, solar panels are vital in the solar power system because they collect light from the sun and generate electricity while the sun is up.
Many types of solar energy are on the market as new technologies continue to be added. Usually, it is classified according to the solar cell's material or the absorbent layer's shape. Still, the number of types varies depending on how much it is subdivided. In this posting, I will introduce two crystalline silicon solar cells and a thin film solar cell divided by the shape of the absorbent layer.
Monocrystalline silicon solar panels are the most popular type in the solar panel market. The most significant advantage of monocrystalline silicon is its highest efficiency, which usually has an efficiency of 17-23%. Due to this high efficiency, it is good to use when the area of the installation site is narrow because it requires a smaller number and installation area than other panel types. It works well even in high-temperature environments and is suitable for use in warm and hot climates. It also boasts the highest lifespan, usually 25 to 40 years. Monocrystalline silicon has these excellent qualities because it has higher purity than polycrystalline silicon. However, since it has a high purity and is accompanied by a large amount of silicon and a purification process to produce one cell, Monocrystalline silicon is more expensive than other types. Its external features are dark black and have a uniform outer surface. Usually, the roof of a house is dark, so it does not stand out much when installed on the roof.
Since polycrystalline silicon has a simpler production process than monocrystalline silicon, its cost is affordable. Monocrystalline is produced by purifying a single silicon crystal, which complicates the process. Still, polycrystals are made by melting multiple silicones at once and putting them in a square frame. However, efficiency is low, with an efficiency of 17-19%, and efficiency is low in high-temperature environments. Also, it has a lower life span than monocrystalline. However, it is difficult to say that it has a low life expectancy because it usually has a life expectancy of 25-30 years. The most prominent external feature of polycrystalline silicon is its blue color. Blue has the disadvantage of being able to ruin exterior aesthetics because the color stands out when installed on a rooftop or the roof of a building. In addition, since polycrystals are less efficient than single crystals, more modules must be installed when trying to produce the same power, requiring more installation area than monocrystallines. Despite these shortcomings, polycrystalline silicon is economically accessible because of its low price.
Thin-film solar cells are a type of panel developed as an alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. Compared to silicon, thin-film types are more commonly used in commercial buildings than residential ones. In addition, it is more suitable for small-scale installations than large-scale installations. The efficiency is around 7-12%, which is much less efficient than silicon solar cells. The product also has a 10-20-year lifespan, which is shorter than that of silicon. However, the advantage is that the price is very cheap. In addition, because of its thin thickness and flexible characteristics, it is advantageous not to interfere with the aesthetics when installed. In addition, due to the very light and flexible material, the installation process is much easier than silicon because it does not require a separate support system for installation. The color is black, like monocrystalline. The monocrystalline has a white space in each part connecting the cells, whereas the thin film type is better in aesthetics because the entire part is black. Therefore, it is widely used as a building integrated type (BIPV module). However, low lifespan and efficiency are still challenges to be addressed. Types of thin films include amorphous, CdTe, and CIGS.
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Three types of solar panels were introduced above according to the absorption type. However, it can be divided depending on the way of installation. The panel we commonly see on top of the building is called BAPV(Building-Attached Photovoltaics). On the other hand, BIPV(Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) acts as a building material and generates electricity simultaneously. The building-integrated type is more harmonious in terms of aesthetics because it is used as a material for windows or external facades, not as a form additionally attached to the building. However, it isn't efficient to concentrate sunlight effectively because it is often angled out of facing the south(based on the northern hemisphere).
If you are considering using a solar power generation system, you will wonder which of the numerous types of solar cells on the market would be most appropriate for you. When choosing a type, you should choose the one that best suits you by considering various factors such as price, efficiency, installation area, and aesthetic harmony. For example, if the space to be installed is limited and you want high efficiency, no matter how much it costs, it is appropriate to select monocrystalline silicon. On the other hand, if efficiency is a meager thing and installation with the cheapest cost is a priority, the thin film type can be your choice. However, since the power that can be produced is significantly lower than that of silicon as the efficiency is low, you should also consider that more installation area is required to produce the same power compared to the silicone types. Therefore, it is recommended that you know in advance the amount of power you want to obtain from the solar power generation system and consider each type's pros and cons and cost accordingly before choosing. In addition, finding out whether there is an economic support policy for installing and using solar power generation systems and receiving benefits is a way to reduce costs.
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