OUSHANG SOLAR are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
Monocrystalline photovoltaic electric solar energy panels have been the go-to choice for many years. They are among the oldest, most efficient and most dependable ways to produce electricity from the sun.
Each module is made from a single silicon crystal, and is more efficient, though more expensive, than the newer and cheaper polycrystalline and thin-film PV panel technologies. You can typically recognize them by their color which is typically black or iridescent blue.
How Monocrystalline Cells Are Made
As the name implies this type of solar panel are unique in their use of a single, very pure crystal of silicon. Using a process, similar to making semi-conductors, the silicon dioxide of either quartzite gravel or crushed quartz is placed into an electric arc furnace. Heat is then applied and the result is carbon dioxide and molten silicon. This simple process yields silicon with one percent impurity, useful in many industries but not the solar cell industry, which requires a much higher purity level.
This is accomplished by passing a rod of impure silicon through a heated zone several times in the same direction. This procedure "drags" the impurities toward one end with each pass. At a specific point, the silicon is deemed pure, and the impure end is removed.
Next, a silicon seed crystal is put into a Czochralski growth apparatus, where it is dipped into melted polycrystalline silicon. The traditional way of adding boron, is to introduce a small amount of boron during the Czochralski process. The seed crystal rotates as it is withdrawn, forming a cylindrical ingot of very pure silicon.
Wafers are then sliced out of the ingot, then sealed back to back and placed in a furnace to be heated to slightly below the melting point of silicon (1,410 degrees Celsius) in the presence of phosphorous gas. The phosphorous atoms "burrow" into the silicon, which is more porous because it is close to becoming a liquid. The temperature and time given to the process is carefully controlled to ensure a uniform junction of proper depth.
Note: Solar cell plants are complex and large (typically 10-50MW capacity and over 5,000 sqm of plant area). A rule of thumb guide to the capital investment in building a solar cell plant is US$1M/MW for monocrystalline silicon. Crystalline-Si cell plants, based on well-proven technology, can be operational within 18 months to two years of project approval and could be running at full capacity after a further year. At a fully operational 50 MW Plant, around 300 jobs might be created, including operational, warehousing, fabrication and overhead administration. The actual number will be dependent on the chosen technology and degree of automation. Because of the high electrical requirements (for the electric arc furnace), such plants are typically located where electrical costs are low (how ironic is that !).
Efficiency
Currently, SunPower (USA) manufacturers the most efficient monocrystalline solar panels - with an efficiency of 22.5 percent. In June they broke the world's record for commercially produced solar cells at 24.2%.
According to various researchers, it is not theoretically possible to convert more than 29 percent of the light into energy using crystalline solar cells. Realistically, the limit for a PV panel is likely closer to 24 to 25 percent because of factors like heat, said Tom Werner, the CEO of SunPower, during a briefing with reporters in June .
Benefits of Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Determining what is an advantage or a benefit is a relativistic exercise and in this case the base of reference are the other types solar panel technologies. With this caveat in mind, here are 8 good reasons why many people choose monocrystalline solar technology:
Monocrystalline solar panels are first generation solar technology and have been around a long time, providing evidence of their durability and longevity. The technology, installation, performance issues are all understood. Several of the early modules installed in the 's are still producing electricity today. Single crystal panels have even withstood the rigors of space travel!
Some other solar websites suggest that single crystalline solar panels can last up to 50 years. According to solar engineers I speak with even though this may be possible, there will be a slight drop off in efficiency of around 0.5% on average per year. So although this type of solar panels can last a long time, there will come a time when the lower efficiency makes it economically desirable to replace the panels especially as the efficiency of newer panels continues to increase.
Note: Most performance warranties go for 25 years, but as long as the PV panel is kept clean it will continue to produce electricity.
As already mentioned, PV panels made from monocrystalline solar cells are able to convert the highest amount of solar energy into electricity of any type of flat solar panel. Consequently, if your goal is to produce the most electricity from a specific area (e.g., on a roof) this type of panel should certainly be considered.
Consequently, Monocrystalline panels are a great choice for urban settings or where space is limited. As a developer of PV rooftop installations in Germany, buying or leasing roof space is a significant cost of the whole project and so you want to be able to produce as much electricity you can from this valuable resource.
The cost of solar panels is typically around 60% of the cost of a fully installed solar power system, with installation being a significant cost component. Although I haven't confirmed this yet, one installer in Australia (who sells and installs several types of solar panels) has said that some amorphous thin film panels actually need more mounting rails and take longer to install; adding to the overall cost of the system. Additionally, they reported instances where home owners have had to rip up all their thin film panels and sell those at a loss in order to boost the size of their solar power system when they switched over to monocrystalline solar cells to produce more electricity as their usage increased over the years.
Note: With the coming of electric cars (many of which will be introduced in the next few years), several people in the industry predict the demand for high efficiency solar panels that can help recharge their electric cars is expected to increase. Even cars based on fuel cell technology such as the hydrogen car being developed by Honda could stimulate demand for more electricity to power a small pump station on the side of the house, creating hydrogen during the day which will be available as fuel for the car.
In other words -- we can expect that many new technologies will be introduced in the coming years that will increase the demand for electricity &#; which will push up demand, and make it ever more desirable to be able to produce your own electricity -- so why not plan ahead and produce as much as you can from the space you allocate for this purpose.
With the world rapidly moving towards renewable energy sources and with new developments in transportation, etc., we envision a time in the not-too-distant future where the type of solar array used; specifically the ability to scale up, will also factor into house price values.
While thin-film solar panels offer a lower level of embedded energy per panel, the fact that more panels are needed somewhat negates this aspect, especially given the extra mounting rails sometimes needed. Embodied energy refers to the amount of energy required to manufacture and supply a product.
Some thin film solar products uses cadmium telluride (CdTe) . Cadmium is a heavy metal that accumulates in plant and animal tissues. Cadmium is a 'probable carcinogen' in humans and animals. While cadmium telluride doesn't pose a threat while the panel is in service, disposal of this toxic waste when the product reaches the end of its life comes at large cost and suitable facilities which is why firms like First Solar offer their own "end of life" recycling program to take care of disposing this material. Monocrsytalline solar panels are not hazardous to the environment.
Like other types of solar panels, monocrystalline solar modules suffer a reduction in output once the temperature from the sunlight reaches around fifty degrees Celsius/a hundred and fifteen degrees Fahrenheit. Reductions of between twelve and fifteen percent can be expected. This loss of efficiency is lower than what is typically experienced by owners of PV panels made from polycrystalline cells.
Besides producing more electricity per sqm of installed panels, thereby improving your cash flow (from either a reduction in your electrical bill or from the sale of the electricity or in some areas both), for those who are "going green" and are concerned about the environmental impact of solar panels, monocrystalline panels reduce the amount of electricity needed from local power plants, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. The greater benefit is a reduction in the use of limited fuel sources and greenhouse gases being pumped into the environment.
A corollary of the durability and longevity of this type of solar panels is that in areas where there is an established track record of performance (e.g., in Germany), we are able to obtain bank financing of up to 90% for our projects, which is certainly a big reason why Germany has the largest installed base of solar panels in the world.
Disadvantages of Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Because PV panels made from single-cell silicon crystals the process of making them is one of the most complex and costly ones around. Good silicon feedstock is expensive (although less so in then it has been for a a while) and the cost of making a single pure crystal is time-comsuming and therefore costly, PV panels from monocrystalline solar cells generally cost more per panel than competing PV technologies.
However, instead of comparing costs on a per panel basis, or even on a per kWp basis &#; I recommend you look at the investment on a per kWh basis over the expected life of the panel. Based on the analyses I've seen of various project proposals, monocrystalline solar panels are typically the most economical over the life of the installation.
You should take into consideration that solar panels can be broken by tree branches or by objects carried by a strong wind. Generally, the solar panels are covered by a safety glass that helps protect the panels from damage &#; but if you are in an area where you are likely to experience roof damage due to falling / flying objects besides the obvious of making sure your solar installation is insured at replacement value, you should ask your solar consultant / advisor regarding susceptibility to such damage to make sure that you don't lose your power when you might need it most (i.e., such storms usually cause major blackouts that sometimes can take quite a while to fully restore power to everybody).
Manufacturers of Monocrystalline Solar Panels
The following is a list of the leading companies that produce and offer monocrystalline solar panels (we are in the process of building this database so please check back periodically.
1. Suntech Power is the worlds largest producer of crystalline solar panels, with more than 10 million PV panels sold in over 80 different companies. To learn more about Suntech Power, click here.
2. SunPower produces the most efficient monocrystalline solar panels available. They also offer all black panels (no visible metal strips), inverters and monitors. For more information click here.
3. Transform Solar produces a revolutionary new thin monocrystalline panel that is heat resistant, even produces in conditions of partial shading, and is highly reliable. It also uses just a fraction of the silicon to produce the same high levels of efficiency. For more information click here.
4. JA Solar is the largest producer of monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells, which it sells to other solar module manufacturers. It also produces its own PV solar panels that it sells primarily in China through its own solar development company Yangzhou Engineering.
Thanks for visiting - come back often.
To Find More Interesting Articles
We have more than 700 articles available on this website and our Solar News Blog. To learns more facts and advice about a wide variety of solar related products and issues - use our built-in site searching tool below.
Just type in a few key words or phrases to search this site, our blogs, our Facebook fan page and our other sites for related articles and links.
Custom Search
Back from this page on Monocrystalline Solar Technology to our lead page on Solar Cells
Solar panel technology has dramatically improved over the years and a range of innovative solar panels are now being introduced to the market. There are a lot of things to consider when you&#;re looking to install a solar panel system one of which is what kind of solar panels to get. Most of the solar panels on the market today for residential solar energy systems can fit into three categories: monocrystalline solar panels, polycrystalline solar panels, and thin-film solar panels. All these types of solar cells are used to harness the sun&#;s energy. However, each of them causes solar panels to have different characteristics. In this article, we&#;ll discuss what a monocrystalline solar panel is and how it works. Follow this new blog in Linquip to learn more about this type of solar panel.
The Linquip team aims to provide as much information about solar panels as possible so that you can make an informed decision. Linquip is one of the best sources in the industry for information about monocrystalline solar panels, related equipment, and their installation, use, and maintenance. We at Linquip are always available to help you with any questions or concerns that you may have regarding solar panels or if you need any assistance with them in the future. To begin with, we recommend that you take a look at Linquip&#;s article entitled &#;Solar Cells & Panels&#; before you move on to the next step. This page is intended to be helpful to you in understanding solar panel equipment as a whole.
Being a Linquip Expert is required for you to be able to take advantage of the full potential of the Linquip platform. It can be very beneficial for you to register for an expert account with Linquip since it will enable you to demonstrate your expertise in the area of industrial equipment in a way that is tailored to the industry&#;s needs. Are you interested in contributing an article to the Linquip website as a guest writer? You can publish your content directly on our website if you choose to use Linquip&#;s Guest Posting feature.
What is a monocrystalline solar panel?A monocrystalline solar panel is a solar panel comprising monocrystalline solar cells. The panel derives its name from a cylindrical silicon ingot grown from single-crystal silicon of high purity in the same way as a semiconductor. As the cell is constituted of a single crystal, it provides the electrons more space to move for a better electricity flow. The cylindrical ingot is sliced into wafers forming cells. To maximize the utility of the cells, the circular wafers are wire cut to an octagonal-shaped wafer. These cells have a unique look because of their octagonal shape. They also have a uniform color.
Monocrystalline solar panel constructionAs mentioned above, monocrystalline solar panels get their name from how they are made. Each of the individual solar cells contains a silicon wafer that is made of a single crystal of silicon. The single crystal is formed using the Czochralski method, in which a &#;seed&#; crystal is placed into a vat of molten pure silicon at a high temperature. The seed is then drawn up and the molten silicon forms around it, creating one crystal. The large crystal also called an ingot, is then sliced into thin wafers that are used to make the solar cells.
Usually, a monocrystalline panel will contain either 60 or 72 solar cells, depending on the size of the panel. Most residential installations use 60-cell monocrystalline silicon panels.
Monocrystalline solar panel working principleWant more information on Monocrystalline Solar Panels Supplier? Feel free to contact us.
When sunlight falls on the monocrystalline solar panel, the cells absorb the energy, and through a complicated process create an electric field. This electric field comprises voltage and current and generates power which is governed by the equation P (power) = V (voltage) x I (current). This power can be used directly to power devices that run on direct current (DC). This power can also be converted to alternating current (AC) using an inverter.
Monocrystalline solar panel Performance
Monocrystalline solar panels usually have the highest efficiency and power capacity out of all types of solar panels. Monocrystalline panel efficiencies can range from 17% to 20%.
Because monocrystalline solar cells are made out of a single crystal of silicon, electrons can flow easier through the cell, which makes the PV cell efficiency higher than other types of solar panels. The higher efficiency of monocrystalline solar panels means that they require less space to reach a given power capacity. So, monocrystalline solar panels will usually have a higher power output rating than either polycrystalline or thin-film modules.
In other words, you would need fewer monocrystalline solar panels in your solar power system to generate the same amount of power that, say, a greater number of polycrystalline solar panels would. This makes monocrystalline solar panels ideal for people with limited roof space.
Monocrystalline solar panels FeaturesMonocrystalline solar cells are among the three types of materials that exhibit photovoltaic properties. The other two are polycrystalline solar cells and amorphous or thin-film solar panels. Monocrystalline solar cells&#; characteristics are as follows:
These cells in the panel have a pyramid pattern which offers a larger surface area to collect more energy from the sun&#;s rays.
The top surface is diffused with phosphorus which helps to create an orientation that is electrically negative as compared to the bottom which has a positive electrical orientation, which in turn helps to create the electric field.
To reduce reflection and thereby increase absorption, the cells are coated with silicon nitride.
The produced electricity is collected through metal conductors printed onto the cells.
Monocrystalline solar panels have many applications as follows:
Being more efficient, these panels can produce more electricity for the same area as occupied by panels made of other materials. These panels are quite popular among solar rooftops in urban and rural areas.
These panels are highly recommended for solar applications on a larger scale, on vast tracts of uncultivable land.
Smaller panels generating between 5 and 25 Watts of electricity are useful for charging phones, cameras, and laptops.
Panels generating between 40 and 130 Watts are useful for powering higher-wattage appliances such as refrigerators and microwave ovens.
These panels are extremely useful in lighting up gardens
These panels can form an array and are used to power rural homes.
These panels are perfect for street lighting as stand-alone panels.
For those looking to enhance their understanding of solar panel applications or need assistance with related projects, check out this affordable paper writing help online. Monocrystalline solar panels
Monocrystalline solar panels CostMonocrystalline solar panels&#; price is higher than other kinds of solar panels because of the way these panels are manufactured. Their high efficiency and power ratings also bump up the price. Most premium solar panels, like the SunPower X-series and the LG NeON panels, are monocrystalline.
According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, monocrystalline solar panels sell for about $0.05 per watt higher than polycrystalline modules. As solar technology and manufacturing have improved, the price difference between polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels has shrunk.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels Advantages and DisadvantagesWhile they are the most efficient solar cell on the market, several advantages and disadvantages come with monocrystalline solar panels, each of which is listed below.
Here are some of the advantages of monocrystalline solar panels:
They have the highest level of efficiency at 17-22%.
They require less space compared to other types due to their high efficiency.
Manufacturers state that this form of solar cell lasts the longest, with most giving them a 25-year warranty.
These panels exhibit greater heat resistance.
They perform better in low levels of sunlight, making them ideal for cloudy areas.
Here are some of the disadvantages of monocrystalline solar panels:
They are the most expensive solar cells on the market, so not in everyone&#;s price range.
The performance levels tend to suffer from an increase in temperature. However, it is a small loss when compared to other forms of solar cells.
There is a lot of waste material when the silicon is cut during manufacture.
While both monocrystalline and polycrystalline work on the same principle of capturing solar energy and both will go a long way in reducing your electricity bills, there are a few basic differences between the two. The main difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells in Hindi is the type of silicon solar cell they use; monocrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from a single crystal of silicon, while polycrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from many silicon fragments melted together.
The differences between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are mentioned in the following chart.
Parameters
Monocrystalline
Polycrystalline
CostHigh
Low
EfficiencyHigh
Low
AppearanceBlack color panels
Bluish color panels
Temperature CoefficientHigh
Low
LifespanUp to 25 years
Up to 25 years
SpaceOccupies less rooftop space
Takes more space
PerformancePerforms better even in low light
Low efficiency in cloudy weather
Key ManufacturersSunPower, LG
SolarWorld, Trina
To choose between the best monocrystalline solar panels and polycrystalline solar panels, you should evaluate them on the following parameters.
Monocrystalline solar panels for sale
will be relatively more costly compared to polycrystalline solar panels. You should draw a careful cost-benefit analysis and determine your budget to make the right choice for you.
Among the key advantages of
monocrystalline solar panels
is their high-efficiency rate. These products are made from superior-grade silicone, which has a single-crystal structure. Therefore, electricity flow has minimal resistance in these cells. On the other hand, although one of the advantages of polycrystalline solar panels is their lower price, their efficiency is also lower (between 14 and 16 percent) due to their reduced silicon purity.
When you compare the initial installation costs between monocrystalline vs. polycrystalline solar panels, you should also look at the average lifespan of each.
Monocrystalline solar panel
manufacturers will usually offer a 25-year warranty because of the longer lifespan of the product. On this parameter of lifespan, polycrystalline solar panels are not very different, but the warranty period offered by the manufacturers may vary.
In warm weather,
monocrystalline solar panels
can deliver higher efficiency because of their higher temperature coefficient. The output degradation in monocrystalline panels is lower as the temperature rises. If you are living in a region where the summers are longer and warmer, you should carefully consider the temperature coefficient of the solar panels you are choosing.
Attractive physical appearance of the solar panels depends on an individual&#;s sense of aesthetics. But many users find that the speckled blue hue of polycrystalline silicon is not too easy on the eyes. Therefore, they may prefer monocrystalline solar panels as they find them more uniform in appearance, and thus more aesthetically desirable.
If the available space on your roof is limited but you need more solar output, you may consider
monocrystalline solar panels
because of their higher efficiency. It is worth paying the additional cost for these panels in your situation because you can maximize your power output even within your space constraints to accommodate a PV system.
So, this is all you need to know about the monocrystalline solar panel. If you enjoy this article, let us know what you think by leaving a reply in the comment section. We will be glad to have your viewpoint on the article. Is there any question we can help you with? Feel free to sign up on Linquip to get the most professional advice from our experts.
Download What is Monocrystalline Solar Panel? PDFThis article is available for download as a PDF file by clicking on the link provided below.
By using Linquip RFQ Service, you can expect to receive quotations from various suppliers across multiple industries and regions.
Click Here to Request a Quotation From Suppliers and Service Providers
Read More on Linquip
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Monocrystalline Solar Panels Custom.