Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaics

Characteristics of crystalline silicon photovoltaics

Crystalline silicon photovoltaics is the most widely used photovoltaic technology. Crystalline silicon photovoltaics are modules built using crystalline silicon solar cells (c-Si). These have high efficiency, making crystalline silicon photovoltaics an interesting technology where space is at a premium.

 

Crystalline silicon solar cells

There are various types of crystalline silicon solar cells, however the basic design with respect to glass is broadly similar. Crystalline silicon solar cells are connected together and then laminated under toughened or heat strengthened, high transmittance glass to produce reliable, weather resistant photovoltaic modules.  The glass type that can be used for this technology is a low iron float glass such as Pilkington Optiwhite™.

NSG Group can provide additional functionalities like anti-soiling or UV/IR blocking on request.

Bi-facial c-Si modules are growing in prominence due to their higher efficiency. These module capture energy from both the front and back sides. Here a glass-glass module is used with the crystalline silicon cells being laminated between two high transmission glasses.

For more information on our solar glass product range, please read our solar glass literature.