What is the different between thin-film PV cell and crystalline silicon PV cell?

  • Thread starter Thread starter linklink
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cell Silicon
AI Thread Summary
Thin-film photovoltaic (PV) cells and crystalline silicon PV cells differ primarily in their fabrication processes. Crystalline silicon cells are made by creating large silicon boules, which are then sliced into wafers, while thin-film cells are produced by depositing layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate. The materials used can vary, but they often involve different compounds and structures. Multi-junction PV cells can be classified as thin-film or crystalline, depending on their specific construction. Understanding these differences is crucial for evaluating the efficiency, cost, and application of each type of solar technology.
linklink
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
What is the different between thin-film PV cell and crystalline silicon PV cell?
Are they using the same material but just differ in the fabrication process?

Does a multi-junction PV cell belongs to thin-film or crystalline type?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
linklink said:
What is the different between thin-film PV cell and crystalline silicon PV cell?
Are they using the same material but just differ in the fabrication process?

Does a multi-junction PV cell belongs to thin-film or crystalline type?

There certainly is a big difference in fabrication. Can you tell us what that difference is, and what are the tradeoffs in doing it the two different ways?
 
What I know is, for crystalline silicon, we will first make a big pillar of silicon, then cut it into pieces (wafer). Something have to be done to the wafer but I don't know what is it exactly. And finally cut the wafer into small chips.

I totally know nothing about thin-film, but then I guess both of them are using the same material with different production method.
 
linklink said:
What I know is, for crystalline silicon, we will first make a big pillar of silicon, then cut it into pieces (wafer). Something have to be done to the wafer but I don't know what is it exactly. And finally cut the wafer into small chips.

I totally know nothing about thin-film, but then I guess both of them are using the same material with different production method.

Very good. You are on the right track. Please use wikipedia and Google to research this more. Cutting Si wafers from pure crystalline boules gives you what advantages? At what cost?
 
I used to be an HVAC technician. One time I had a service call in which there was no power to the thermostat. The thermostat did not have power because the fuse in the air handler was blown. The fuse in the air handler was blown because there was a low voltage short. The rubber coating on one of the thermostat wires was chewed off by a rodent. The exposed metal in the thermostat wire was touching the metal cabinet of the air handler. This was a low voltage short. This low voltage...
Hey guys. I have a question related to electricity and alternating current. Say an alien fictional society developed electricity, and settled on a standard like 73V AC current at 46 Hz. How would appliances be designed, and what impact would the lower frequency and voltage have on transformers, wiring, TVs, computers, LEDs, motors, and heating, assuming the laws of physics and technology are the same as on Earth?
Thread 'How Does Jaguar's 1980s V12 Dual Coil Ignition System Enhance Spark Strength?'
I have come across a dual coil ignition system as used by Jaguar on their V12 in the 1980's. It uses two ignition coils with their primary windings wired in parallel. The primary coil has its secondary winding wired to the distributor and then to the spark plugs as is standard practice. However, the auxiliary coil has it secondary winding output sealed off. The purpose of the system was to provide a stronger spark to the plugs, always a difficult task with the very short dwell time of a...
Back
Top