Silicon vs. thin film solar cells

Today there are two main types of photovoltaic systems available. The mainstay of the industry and historic method of producing solar panels is with silicon. In short, silicon crystals in the panels harness the sun’s energy and electrons flow through the panels into a usable current of electricity. More can be read on the basics of solar energy at:

http://jc-solarhomes.com/photovolt.htm

 Silicon panels have traditionally been costly to produce and wasteful of material. Ingots of silicon are typically sawn into wafers and then made into panels. Solar grade silicon can reach the price of $500 per kilogram. Silicon panels are generally more efficient than their thin film counterparts and the physical panel itself is relatively simple to dispose of once its working life is through. 

Thin film solar panels are made from a micro thin layer of a semiconducting material such as cadmium telluride or other material combinations. These thin film cells can be made from a wide variety and combinations of materials, all of which depend on the manufacturer. Cost efficiency is an advantage of thin film solar arrays, but silicon is still generally more efficient for energy conversion at this time. First Solar of Arizona is one company successfully manufacturing the cheaper thin film panels, one disadvantage of their product is its toxicity and the eventual problem of disposal at the end of service life.

There is a high amount of competition in the solar energy business. Many companies are looking to produce panels as cheaply as possible and many of these small startups seem to come and go rather quickly. Over the next few years, there will be a greater separation between these two technologies. If the thin film technology becomes more efficient, a decline in the traditional silicon panels will be imminent.

 

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=solar-power-lightens-up-with-thin-film-cells

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