Solar energy is an inexhaustible source of renewable energy for mankind and has an important place in the long-term energy strategies of countries around the world. Thin film power generation relies on thin film solar cell chips that are light, thin and flexible, while crystalline silicon power generation has a high energy conversion efficiency, but the panels must be thick enough. So today we focus on the advantages and disadvantages of thin film power generation and crystalline silicon power generation.
I. Advantages of thin-film power generation
Thin film battery with less material, simple manufacturing process, less energy consumption, continuous production of large areas, and can use low-cost materials such as glass or stainless steel as a substrate. Thin film batteries have now developed a variety of technical routes, including CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) thin film solar technology, flexible thin film photovoltaic module technology has achieved milestones, and the gap between the photovoltaic conversion rate of crystalline silicon batteries is gradually narrowing.
Thin film cells have a better low light response and the gap between cloudy and sunny day power generation will narrow, making them particularly suitable for application in desert PV power stations. They are also more suitable for the construction of home-based sun shelters and sun houses. Thin-film solar cells as the main components of the photovoltaic system, can be very good to achieve the integration of photovoltaic building.
II. The disadvantages of thin film power generation
The photoelectric conversion rate of thin film cells is low, generally only about 8%. The investment in equipment and technology for thin film cells is several times that of crystalline silicon cells, the yield of thin film solar cell module production is not as good as it should be, the yield rate of non-/microcrystalline silicon thin film cell modules is currently only around 60%, CIGS cell groups mainstream manufacturers are only to 65%. Of course, the problem of yield, as long as you find the right professional quality thin film brand products will be able to solve the problem.
III. the advantages of crystalline silicon power generation
The photovoltaic conversion rate of crystalline silicon cells is higher, and the conversion rate of domestic crystalline silicon cells has reached 17% to 19%. Crystalline silicon battery technology has developed more mature, enterprises do not need frequent technical transformation. The investment in equipment for crystalline silicon cells is low, and domestic equipment can already meet most of the needs of cell production lines.
Another advantage of crystalline silicon technology is the mature production process. At present, most monocrystalline silicon cell manufacturers can achieve a yield rate of 98% or more, while the yield rate of polycrystalline silicon cell production is also above 95%.
IV. The disadvantages of crystalline silicon power generation
The industry chain is complex, and the cost may not be significantly reduced. The cost of raw materials fluctuates widely, and in recent years the international market has been a roller-coaster ride for polysilicon. In addition, the silicon industry is a highly polluting and energy-consuming industry, and there is a risk of policy adjustment.
Summary
Crystalline silicon cells are mainly made of silicon materials, containing boron and oxygen silicon wafers after light will appear to varying degrees of decay, the greater the boron and oxygen content in the silicon wafer in the light or current injection conditions generated by the boron and oxygen complex, the greater the magnitude of life reduction is more obvious. Compared with crystalline silicon solar cells, thin-film solar cells do not require the use of silicon materials, is the type of amorphous silicon solar cells, zero attenuation.
So crystalline silicon solar cell products after a few years of use, there will be varying degrees of efficiency decay, not only affecting the power generation revenue, but also shortening the service life. Thin film solar cells as the second generation of photovoltaic power generation equipment widely used in developed countries around the world, its price is indeed slightly more expensive than crystalline silicon solar cells at present, can be no attenuation, long service life and other characteristics decided, the value created by long-term use will be higher.
Post time: Dec-16-2022