CRYSTALLINE TECHNOLOGY

The currently most popular technology is based on the use of crystalline silicon. Here, high purity silicon ingots are cut into very thin slices called wafers. To produce a solar cell, the characteristics of these slices are altered by intentionally introducing a impurity (doping). Anti-reflection layers are applied to the front of the cell to improve light absorption. As the usable voltage produced by a single wafer is too low for practical purposes, several slices are connected together in series. To protect them from physical and environmental harm, the wafer arrangement is sandwiched between a transparent front film and a rear backing film to produce a module. This technology, which has been perfected for some decades now, dominates the photovoltaic industry with a market share of approximately 80 percent (as at 2008).