Solar energy is an inexhaustible and inexhaustible renewable energy source for mankind, and plays an important role in the long-term energy strategies of countries around the world. Thin-film power generation relies on thin-film solar cell chips that are light, thin and flexible. Crystalline silicon power generation has high energy conversion efficiency, but the solar panel must be thick enough. So today we will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of thin film power generation and crystalline silicon power generation.

1. Advantages of thin film power generation

Thin-film batteries have few materials, simple manufacturing process, low energy consumption, large-area continuous production, and low-cost materials such as glass or stainless steel can be used as substrates. Thin-film batteries have developed a variety of technical routes. Among them, CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) thin-film solar technology and flexible thin-film photovoltaic module technology have achieved phased results, and the gap between the photoelectric conversion rate of crystalline silicon batteries is gradually narrowing.

Thin-film cells respond better to weak light, and the gap between power generation in cloudy and sunny days will be narrowed, so they are especially suitable for desert photovoltaic power plants. It is also more suitable for the construction of family-style sun sheds and sun houses. The photovoltaic system with thin-film solar cells as the main component can well realize the photovoltaic building integration.

2. Disadvantages of thin film power generation

The photoelectric conversion rate of thin film batteries is low, generally only about 8%. The equipment and technology investment of thin-film cells is several times that of crystalline silicon cells. The yield rate of thin-film solar cell modules is not satisfactory. The yield of non-/microcrystalline silicon thin-film cell modules is currently only about 60%. Manufacturers are only 65%. Of course, the problem of yield rate can be solved as long as you find the right professional and high-quality film brand products.

3. Advantages of crystalline silicon power generation

The photoelectric conversion rate of crystalline silicon cells is higher, and the conversion rate of domestic crystalline silicon cells has reached 17% to 19%. Crystalline silicon cell technology is relatively mature, and enterprises do not need to carry out frequent technological transformations. The equipment investment of crystalline silicon cells is relatively low, and domestic equipment can already meet most of the needs of cell production lines.

Another advantage of crystalline silicon technology lies in the mature production process. At present, the yield rate of most monocrystalline silicon cell manufacturers can reach over 98%, and the yield rate of polycrystalline silicon cell production is also over 95%.

4. Disadvantages of crystalline silicon power generation

The industrial chain process is complex, and it is unlikely that the cost will be greatly reduced. The cost of raw materials fluctuates greatly. In recent years, the polysilicon in the international market has been on a roller coaster ride one after another. In addition, the silicon industry is a highly polluting and energy-intensive industry, and there is a risk of policy adjustment.

Summary

Crystalline silicon cells are mainly made of silicon materials. The silicon wafers containing boron and oxygen will decay to varying degrees after being illuminated. The greater the content of boron and oxygen in the silicon wafers, the boron-oxygen complexes generated under illumination or current injection conditions. The more, the greater and more pronounced the reduction in lifespan. Compared with crystalline silicon solar cells, thin-film solar cells do not need to use silicon materials, and are a type of amorphous silicon solar cells with zero attenuation.

Therefore, after a few years of use, crystalline silicon solar cell products will experience different degrees of efficiency attenuation, which not only affects the power generation revenue, but also shortens the service life. Thin-film solar cells, as the second-generation photovoltaic power generation cell equipment widely used in developed countries around the world, are indeed slightly more expensive than crystalline silicon solar cells at present. They can be determined by the characteristics of no attenuation and long service life, and the value created by long-term use will be higher. .