We all know that solar panels transform the sun’s energy into electric power. However, what precisely are they made of? It is critical to understand the materials used in the solar panels for a good sense of how they work and their ecological consequences.
Solar Panel Materials
A solar panel is an advanced piece of technology. It comprises several components and materials, including a solar PV module, a back sheet, and a frame. There are three commercially accessible PV module types: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.
Each of these requires a unique set of materials and production procedures. The first two, however, have a lot in common. Solar panels of this type are mostly silicon.
Monocrystalline solar cells are created from a single silicon crystal, whereas polycrystalline cells are created from silicon ingots. The earlier is a purer kind of silicon that more efficiently converts solar radiation into electricity. On the other hand, thin-film solar cells are composed of amorphous silicon, which is more elastic but less powerful.
How are Solar Panels Built?
All solar panels are made in essentially the same way. Each type of solar cell begins with the extraction of high-grade, highly pure silicon from quartz at extremely high temperatures.
The solid silicons are then fused together to form a cylinder-shaped ingot in the second step. Boron is also introduced at this stage to provide the silicon positive electrical polarity. This assures that all atoms are coordinated in the right configuration after melting.
The ingot is then cut into discs with a fine wire saw. The discs are then treated with an anti-reflective layer to ensure that as much light as necessary is captured rather than bounced off the glossy silicone.
The discs are then processed, and metal conductors are placed on the surface in a grid-like pattern. These conductors are responsible for converting sunlight into electricity.
The discs are then placed in an oven-like room, where phosphorus is transferred in a thin layer across the surface of the discs. The phosphorus contributes a negative electrical charge that complements the positive charge of the boron added previously.
This positive-negative charge is critical to the operation of a PV cell. When sunlight strikes a PV cell, it activates the electrons. As the electrons travel about, a flow of electricity is created, then transported to the battery via a wire.