IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - May/June 2022 - 81

may/june 2022
ieee power & energy magazine
81
table 1. Summary highlights of solar PV technologies of multijunction cells, crystalline modules, thin films, and some new solar modules.
Solar Technology Characteristics
Monocrystalline Monocrystalline silicon is a pure material
with a continuous, unbroken crystalline
lattice structure that has minimal or no
impurities.
Polycrystalline
CIGS
Numerous monocrystalline silicon grains
are used to manufacture polycrystalline
silicon.
Solar energy is converted into electricity by
semiconductor layers in CIGS.
CdTe
It is based on a superstrate comprising of
successive layers of soda lime glass, indiumtin
oxide, Cadmium sulfide, and CdTe back
contact.
Amorphous
Silicon
It is made of silica atoms are arranged in
thin, homogeneous layers.
Efficiency
in 2019 (%) Advantages
26.7
1) Longevity
2) Low installation cost
3) Nonhazardous
22.3
23.4
1) Simple production process
2) More heat-tolerant than silicon-based
panels
1) The material is less or nontoxic, unlike
Cadmium telluride (CdTe)
2) Better at resisting heat compared to
Si-based panels
21.0
1) Solar energy is absorbed at shorter
wavelengths
2) Cadmium is abundant, resulting in lower
manufacturing costs
13.4
1) Multijunction device capacity
2) Easy fabrication
3) High optical absorption coefficient
4) The material is less toxic compared to CIGS
or CdTe
5) Flexible and less susceptible to crack
Dye-sensitized
solar cells
Perovskite
solar cell
Polymer
It includes the electrode film layer, the
conductive transparent conductive oxide,
the counter electrode layer, and redox
electrolyte layer.
It uses active light harvesting layer based on
the ABX3 crystal structure, also known as
perovskite.
It contains a layered structure consisting of a
transparent front electrode, an active layer,
and a back electrode.
11.1
1) Has a lower cost
2) Can operate in dim light and from a wider
angle
3) Durable and mechanically robust
20.9
1) Cost-effective fabrication
2) Inexpensive to scale up
3) Less space required for installation
4) High efficiency
3-8
1) Easy to size and shape due to its light
weight and flexibility
2) Easily storable and transportable
3) Ecologically friendly due to being organic
in nature
1) Volatile organic solvents make up
electrolyte liquid
2) Cannot be used with large-scale cases with
high cost and efficiency requirements
1) Material degradation occurs quickly when
exposed to heat, moisture, or snow
2) The substance is toxic by nature
1) Extremely low efficiency
2) Degradation is faster when exposed to
outdoor conditions
Source: T.M. Razykov, C.S. Ferekides, D. Morel, E. Stefanakos, H.S. Ullal, H.M. Upadhyaya, " Solar photovoltaic electricity: Current status and future prospects, " Solar Energy,
vol. 85, no. 8, pp. 1580-1608, Aug. 2011. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2010.12.002)
1) Cadmium is highly toxic
2) Old CdTe panels may pose a disposal
problem
3) Less efficient compared with crystalline
silicon
1) Low efficiency
Drawbacks
1) High cost
2) Fragility
3) Silicon wasted in the Czochralski process
1) Generally less efficient than
monocrystalline
2) Space efficiency is lower
1) A less efficient alternative to
monocrystalline panels

https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2010.12.002

IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - May/June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - May/June 2022