How do solar panels work?
How do solar panels work?
user
There are two main types of solar panels, monocrystalline silicon panels and polycrystalline silicon panels. In monocrystalline silicon panels, the silicon is grown in a single crystal form, so all of the layers have the same crystalline structure. This is important, because the different layers can be controlled very precisely to obtain the exact orientation of the atoms in the crystal. Because the layers have exactly the same crystal structure, all of the layers have the same conductivity and voltage. The top layer is used as the negative electrode, and the bottom layer is used as the positive electrode. The middle layer is called the intrinsic layer, because it contains the other layers and the ions that move within the cell.
assistant
Does that mean monocrystalline silicon panels are better than polycrystalline ones?
user
For most uses, a polycrystalline silicon panel will be much more efficient.
assistant
But others say otherwise, that monocrystalline ones are more efficient, though it comes with a higher price.
user