Polysilicon and Solar Panels

Future explorations in the Polysilicon research has lead us into what one would call the age of energy efficiency. In single crystal silicon, the crystalline framework is homogenous, which can be recognized by an even external coloring. In single crystal silicon, also called monocrystal, the crystal lattice of the entire sample is continuous and unbroken with no grain boundaries. Large single crystals are exceedingly rare in nature and can also be difficult to produce in the laboratory. In contrast a structure where the atomic position is limited to short range orders. What makes polysilicon such a good material to use as a material is that polysilicon can be orders of magnitude larger and the material also shows greater stability under electric field and light-induced stress. Polycrystalline silicon is also a key component of solar panel construction. Growth of the photovoltaic solar industry is limited by the supply of the polysilicon material.(see http://www.siliconfareast.com/polysilicon.htm)  The price of polysilicon is very important when factoring how cheap you can make the production of solar panels to be. If the price is cheap than this makes for a very good product that can be produced on a mass scale for a lower cost to the public, influencing the public to purchase more and slowly convert homes in any location to becoming solely solar efficient.  When the price goes down the quality does not polysilicon is produced largely as an application which lowers the cost through being a semiconductor and "PV industries presently consume about 80,000 Metric Tons (MT) per year".(see  http://www.polyplantproject.com/polysiliconapplications.html)Therefore Polysilicon is very affordable and is an excellent material to use when producing several  solar panels.

Posted by Christopher Cole