Thursday, September 3, 2009

MONO-CRYSTALLINE VS. POLY CRYSTALLINE

MONO-CRYSTALLINE VS. POLY CRYSTALLINE

Photovoltaic solar panels are created in two forms: mono-crystalline and polycrystalline. 

Mono-crystalline, or single crystal solar panels, are manufactured primarily through the Czochralski process. The silicon crystal ignots created for the photovoltaic solar panels through this process are cut into thin slices using a wire saw. On these silicon crystal ignots, conductive wires and screened onto the surface. This comprises a photovoltaic solar panel. Mono-crystalline cells, although more expensive, are much more efficient than poly-crystalline photovotlaic solar panels.

Poly-crystalline, or a solar panels with multiple crystals, start with molten silicon. The silicon is cut from a buole. The shapes that are cut are grown and connected with conductive wires. Poly-crystalline photovoltaic solar panels offer a lower efficiency than mono-crystalline solar panels.

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