Velleman SOL14 Manuel D’Utilisation
Information sheet
©Velleman
Components nv
3/6
Last update: 16/04/2009
Poly-crystalline
-
To
make
polycrystalline silicon cells, liquid silicon
is
is
poured
into
blocks
that
are
subsequently sawed into plates. This
type of approach produces some degree
of degradation of the silicon crystals
which
type of approach produces some degree
of degradation of the silicon crystals
which
makes
them
less
efficient.
However,
this
type
of
approach is easier and cheaper to
manufacture. Currently, poly-crystalline
solar
manufacture. Currently, poly-crystalline
solar
panels
are
the
most
common. They are slightly less efficient
than single crystal, but once set into a
frame with 35 or so other cells, the
actual difference in W/m² is not that
high.
than single crystal, but once set into a
frame with 35 or so other cells, the
actual difference in W/m² is not that
high.
Poly-crystalline
cells
look
somewhat like shattered glass and have
a dark blue to almost black colour.
Overall efficiency on average is about
11-13%.
a dark blue to almost black colour.
Overall efficiency on average is about
11-13%.
Amorphous
- Amorphous solar panels are
also referred to as "thin film" solar
panels. This type of solar cell uses layers
of semiconductor that are only a few
micrometers thick (about 1/100th the
thickness of a human hair). This lowers the
material cost but makes it even less
efficient than the other types of silicon.
However, because it is so thin this type of
cell has the advantage that it can be placed
on a wide variety of flexible materials in
order to make things like solar shingles or
roof tiles. Because they can be put on to
flexible backings they have proven very
valuable in certain types of applications
where flexibility is more critical than
power. For example, these types of solar
panels are often used in portable products
such as solar backpacks and solar bags.
Overall efficiency on average is about 5-
6%.
panels. This type of solar cell uses layers
of semiconductor that are only a few
micrometers thick (about 1/100th the
thickness of a human hair). This lowers the
material cost but makes it even less
efficient than the other types of silicon.
However, because it is so thin this type of
cell has the advantage that it can be placed
on a wide variety of flexible materials in
order to make things like solar shingles or
roof tiles. Because they can be put on to
flexible backings they have proven very
valuable in certain types of applications
where flexibility is more critical than
power. For example, these types of solar
panels are often used in portable products
such as solar backpacks and solar bags.
Overall efficiency on average is about 5-
6%.
Another way of defining solar cells is in terms of the types of materials they are made
of. While silicon is the most commonly used crystal a number of other materials and
substances can be used as well. Different types of substances perform better under
certain light conditions. Some cells perform better outdoors (e.g. optimized for
sunlight), while others perform better indoors (optimized for fluorescent light).
of. While silicon is the most commonly used crystal a number of other materials and
substances can be used as well. Different types of substances perform better under
certain light conditions. Some cells perform better outdoors (e.g. optimized for
sunlight), while others perform better indoors (optimized for fluorescent light).