Why do monocrystalline solar cells have rounded/cropped edges?

Click For Summary
Monocrystalline solar cells have rounded or cropped edges primarily due to the manufacturing process, which involves cutting from a cylindrical boule. Historically, circular solar cells were used, but square shapes are now preferred because they pack more efficiently in solar panels. The rectangular shape of individual cells allows for better space utilization and reduces wasted area. Additionally, the outer regions of the boule tend to form polycrystalline structures, making monocrystalline cells more desirable for their efficiency. The evolution in design reflects both practical and performance considerations in solar technology.
cemtu
Messages
99
Reaction score
7
Homework Statement
Why do monocrystalline solar cells have rounded/cropped edges? And why do solar cells need to be square-shaped in general?
Relevant Equations
No equations
There were circular solar cells 30 years ago. Why do we have square-shaped solar cells now? Why square now?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Rectangles pack better than circles. Seems that individual cells also assume a rectangular shape. .
mono-and-poly-silicon-cells.jpg
 
Way I understand it, the outside of the boule tends towards polycrystalline formation (mono is preferable).
 

Thread 'Magnitude of buoyant force in fluids of different densities'

The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?
View full post »

Similar threads

Purity of Polycrystalline Solar Cells vs Monocrystalline Solar Cells
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Perovskite semiconductors for solar photovoltaic cells
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Engineering Shunt Resistor, Grain Boundaries & Solar Cell Circuit
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Solar System Forces -- Simulating the planetary orbits for my project
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Why Do Capacitors Behave Differently in Series and Parallel Configurations?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
High School PV cell charge separation by an external electric field
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Efficiency calculation for solar cells
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School Solar cells - how do they repeat the process?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Is Wall-Mounted Solar Production More Efficient in Winter at High Latitudes?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Relationship between voltage and distance between light bulb and solar cell
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
10K