Solar Panels Types and Light-Emitting Efficiency and Production line
Photovoltaic (PV) technology is advancing rapidly, with various types of solar panels offering different efficiencies. Monocrystalline silicon panels lead in efficiency (up to 25% in labs), while polycrystalline silicon and thin-film panels like CIGS and perovskite also show promise. New trends in PV production include stress-free interconnection, which reduces cell damage and costs; intelligent and automated manufacturing to enhance efficiency and quality; high-efficiency cell technologies like TOPCon and perovskite/silicon tandems that push efficiency limits; and the rise of bifacial and large-size modules for better performance. Environmental sustainability is also a focus, with lead-free materials and energy-efficient production gaining traction. These innovations are driving down costs and increasing the viability of solar power as a key energy solution.
Types of Solar Panels and Their Light-Emitting Efficiency
| Type | Characteristics | Light-Emitting Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Panels | Consistent crystal structure, high electron mobility, high conversion efficiency, and long lifespan. Suitable for applications requiring high efficiency and stability. | Commercial module conversion efficiency is 18%-22%, with laboratory peak efficiency reaching 25%. |
| Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Panels | Composed of multiple small crystal grains, lower manufacturing cost, and higher cost-effectiveness compared to monocrystalline silicon. | Commercial module conversion efficiency is 18%-20%, with laboratory peak efficiency approaching 23%. |
| Amorphous Silicon Solar Panels | Made from amorphous silicon material, low cost, suitable for large-area applications, and capable of generating electricity even in weak light conditions. | International advanced level conversion efficiency is around 10%. |
| Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) Solar Panels | Flexible and suitable for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) applications, with lower material costs and scalability for mass production. | Laboratory peak efficiency reaches 23.35%, with average production module efficiency at 15%-17%. |
| Perovskite Solar Panels | High efficiency, low cost, and rapid development. Theoretical conversion efficiency is high, and laboratory efficiency is close to 33.9%. | Laboratory peak conversion efficiency for small cells is 25.6%, and the highest conversion efficiency for glass-based mini-modules is 22.4%. |
| Multi-Junction Solar Cells | Utilize a multi-layer structure to absorb different wavelengths of light, resulting in high efficiency but at a high cost. Mainly used in high-end fields such as aerospace. | Conversion efficiency can reach 30%-40%, with laboratory peak efficiency up to 43%. |
New Trends in Solar Panel Production Lines
- Stress-Free Interconnection Technology
- Technical Principle: Interconnection of solar cells is achieved through low-temperature or room-temperature processes, avoiding the warping and fragmentation of cells caused by high-temperature soldering in traditional processes, while also reducing the use of materials such as silver paste.
- Advantages: Improves cell yield, reduces production costs, minimizes environmental pollution, and enhances the overall reliability of modules.
- Future Prospects: As the technology matures, stress-free interconnection technology is expected to be widely applied in high-efficiency cell technologies such as Heterojunction with Back Contact (HJT) and perovskite cells, becoming an important development direction for future photovoltaic module production.
- Intelligent and Automated Production
- Intelligent: More and more photovoltaic production lines are introducing intelligent control systems such as MES (Manufacturing Execution System) to achieve automatic adjustment, intelligent monitoring, and remote management. Through data analysis and predictive maintenance, production efficiency and product quality are improved.
- Automated: The widespread application of robotic arms, automated conveying equipment, and automatic inspection devices in production lines reduces manual operations, improves production efficiency and consistency, and lowers production costs.
- Future Trends: With the development of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, photovoltaic production lines will become more intelligent and automated, achieving full automation from raw materials to finished products.
- High-Efficiency Cell Technologies
- TOPCon Technology: By adding an ultra-thin oxide layer and a doping layer on the back of the cell, the conversion efficiency of the cell is improved. Currently, the laboratory peak conversion efficiency of TOPCon cells is close to 27%, and the production efficiency is also continuously increasing.
- Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Cells: Combining perovskite cells with traditional silicon cells, utilizing the high-energy photon absorption of perovskite materials and the absorption of low-energy photons by silicon cells, higher conversion efficiency is achieved. In 2024, the laboratory peak conversion efficiency of perovskite/silicon tandem cells reached 33.9%.
- Future Trends: High-efficiency cell technologies will become a key focus of the photovoltaic industry. By continuously optimizing cell structures and materials, further improvements in conversion efficiency and cost reduction are expected.
- Bifacial Modules and Large-Size Modules
- Bifacial Modules: By adding a light-receiving surface on the back of the cell, bifacial modules can absorb reflected and scattered light, thereby increasing overall power generation efficiency. It is expected that by 2025, bifacial modules will dominate the market.
- Large-Size Modules: Large-size modules can effectively reduce the packaging costs and installation costs of modules, and increase the power generation per unit area. Currently, large-size modules (such as 182mm, 210mm) have become mainstream in the market, and the size is expected to increase further in the future.
- Future Trends: With technological progress and increasing market demand, the market share of bifacial and large-size modules will continue to expand, driving further cost reduction in photovoltaic systems.
- Environmental Protection and Sustainability
- Lead-Free Solder Ribbons: To reduce lead pollution, some countries and regions have begun to promote lead-free solder ribbon technology. Lead-free solder ribbons are not only more environmentally friendly but also improve the reliability of modules.
- Energy-Efficient Production: The design of photovoltaic production lines is increasingly focused on energy saving, through optimizing process flows and using high-efficiency energy-saving equipment to reduce energy consumption during the production process.
- Future Trends: With increasing environmental requirements, the photovoltaic industry will pay more attention to sustainable development, forming a complete green industrial chain from raw material procurement, production process to product recycling.
- New Materials and Processes
- Perovskite Materials: Perovskite materials have advantages such as high absorption coefficient and high carrier mobility, and are an important direction for the future development of photovoltaic technology. Currently, the laboratory conversion efficiency of perovskite cells is close to 34%, and production technology is also continuously maturing.
- HJT (Heterojunction) Technology: HJT technology combines the advantages of crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon, featuring high conversion efficiency, low temperature coefficient, and good weak light response. Currently, the laboratory peak conversion efficiency of HJT cells has reached around 27%.
- Future Trends: The continuous emergence of new materials and processes will bring new development opportunities to the photovoltaic industry. Through technological innovation, further improvements in the conversion efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic modules, and cost reduction are expected, driving the sustainable development of the photovoltaic industry.
These trends indicate that the photovoltaic industry is continuously improving production efficiency and reducing costs through technological innovation and process optimization, while also promoting sustainable development. In the future, photovoltaic technology will play an increasingly important role in the energy transition.