A solar battery (panel, module) is a power device that converts photon energy into direct current. This device consists of the following components:
- Protective glass.
- Reinforcing mesh.
- Conductive substrate.
- Photoelectric converter.
- Junction box.
- Frame.
There are many materials used to convert light energy into electrical energy: tellurium, arsenic, gallium, and others. But silicon is the most popular. The reasons for this are quite simple: this material is very easy to mine and, moreover, it is easy to process.
Classification of solar panels
There are three types of solar panels on the market. Let's take a look at each.
1. Monocrystalline module – used for home electrification. It is black and has rounded corners. The working surface is made up of a collection of symmetrically arranged square crystals. The main advantage of this type of equipment is its high efficiency (approximately 20%). The disadvantage is the complex manufacturing process and, consequently, the high market price.
2. A polycrystalline module, like the panel described above, is primarily used for home power. It is blue in color and has a distinctive geometric shape. The efficiency of such a device is 13–17%, but it is also less expensive than a monocrystalline module. In practice, the main difference between these two systems is the area required by the panels to achieve the same result.
3. Amorphous module – to manufacture these systems, the substrate is treated with a thin layer of silicon. This technology allows for the use of films as thin as 1 micron, compared to 300 micron films used with crystalline panels. Consequently, a small amorphous panel is a very energy-efficient device, making it extremely popular among tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.
Main characteristics of a solar panel
The key parameters of a solar panel are output voltage and current. These values can be used to determine the nominal performance of the device. However, it's important to understand that the power values listed in the datasheet were obtained in an artificial environment. In reality, operating conditions significantly affect the module's performance.
