Top 10 Solar Cell Brand & Manufacturers

What is Solar Cell

A solar cell, also known as a photovoltaic cell, is a device that directly converts solar energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. It is the basic unit of a photovoltaic module and is usually made of semiconductor materials. When sunlight shines on the solar cell, the photons in the sunlight excite the electrons in the semiconductor material, generating a potential difference and current, thereby converting solar energy into direct current electricity.

History of Solar Cell

In 1839, the French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. In 1954, Bell Laboratories in the United States successfully developed the first practical silicon solar cell, with an efficiency of about 6%. This marked the birth of modern solar cell technology. In the following decades, the efficiency and stability of solar cells continued to improve, and new materials and manufacturing processes were continuously explored. In the 1970s, due to the oil crisis and the increasing attention to environmental protection, the development of solar cells entered a rapid growth period. Since then, solar cells have been widely used in various fields such as space exploration, off-grid power supply, and grid-connected power generation.

Purpose of Solar Cell

• Power generation: The main purpose is to generate clean and renewable electricity to meet the needs of power supply. It can be used in photovoltaic power generation systems to generate electricity for grid connection or self-use, reducing the dependence on traditional fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


• Space exploration: It is an important power source for spacecraft and satellites. Due to its light weight, high energy density, and reliability, solar cells can provide continuous power supply for spacecraft and satellites in space, ensuring the normal operation of various equipment and systems.


• Off-grid power supply: In remote areas without access to the power grid, such as mountains, islands, and deserts, solar cells can be used to build off-grid photovoltaic power generation systems to provide power supply for local residents, schools, hospitals, and other facilities, improving the living conditions and economic development level of local areas.


• Consumer electronics: It is also widely used in consumer electronics products such as mobile phones, laptops, and calculators to provide power supply or charge the battery, making these products more convenient and environmentally friendly.


• Building integration: Solar cells can be integrated with building materials and structures to form building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, which can not only generate electricity but also improve the energy efficiency and aesthetics of buildings.

Principle of Solar Cell

When sunlight shines on the p-n junction of the semiconductor material in the solar cell, the photons with sufficient energy excite the electrons in the valence band of the semiconductor to jump to the conduction band, leaving holes in the valence band. Under the action of the internal electric field of the p-n junction, the electrons and holes are separated and move to the two electrodes of the cell respectively, generating a potential difference and current. The generated direct current electricity can be used directly or converted into alternating current electricity through an inverter and then sent to the power grid or used for local consumption.

Features of Solar Cell

1. Clean and renewable: Solar energy is an extremely clean and renewable energy source. Solar cells do not produce greenhouse gases, pollutants, or noise during the generation process, which is very beneficial to the environment and sustainable development.
2. Wide distribution: Solar energy is widely distributed all over the world, and as long as there is sunlight, solar cells can generate electricity. It is not subject to geographical restrictions and can be installed and used in various locations such as deserts, rooftops, and facades of buildings.
3. Flexible installation: Solar cells can be installed in different forms and scales according to the actual situation, such as rooftop solar power generation, ground solar power generation, and building-integrated solar power generation. It can also be adjusted in capacity and layout according to the needs of power supply, with strong flexibility.
4. Low operation and maintenance costs: Once the solar cell system is installed and put into operation, the operation and maintenance costs are relatively low. The system has no moving parts, and the service life of solar cells is relatively long. Regular cleaning and inspection can ensure the normal operation of the system.
5. Decentralized power generation:[!--empirenews.page--] It can realize decentralized power generation at the user end, reducing the transmission and distribution losses of the power grid and improving the energy utilization efficiency. It is also suitable for providing power supply in remote areas and islands where the power grid is difficult to reach.
6. Some intermittency: The power output of solar cells is affected by the intensity and duration of sunlight, and there is intermittency and instability. It needs to be coordinated and compensated by other power generation methods or energy storage devices to ensure the stability and reliability of the power grid.

Types of Solar Cell

• Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell: The most common type of solar cell, which includes monocrystalline silicon solar cells and polycrystalline silicon solar cells. Monocrystalline silicon solar cells have a high conversion efficiency and good stability, but the production cost is relatively high. Polycrystalline silicon solar cells have a relatively low production cost and a slightly lower conversion efficiency than monocrystalline silicon solar cells.


• Thin-Film Solar Cell: A type of solar cell with a thin film of semiconductor material deposited on a substrate. It includes amorphous silicon solar cells, cadmium telluride solar cells, and copper indium gallium selenide solar cells. Thin-film solar cells have the advantages of low cost, good flexibility, and large area, but the conversion efficiency is generally lower than that of crystalline silicon solar cells.


• Perovskite Solar Cell: A new type of solar cell with a perovskite structure semiconductor material. It has the advantages of high conversion efficiency, low cost, and easy preparation, and has attracted much attention in recent years. However, its stability and durability still need to be further improved.


• Organic Solar Cell: A type of solar cell made of organic semiconductor materials. It has the advantages of low cost, good flexibility, and easy processing, but the conversion efficiency is relatively low and the stability is poor.


• Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell: A type of solar cell that uses a dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode to convert solar energy into electrical energy. It has the advantages of low cost, good flexibility, and simple preparation, but the conversion efficiency is relatively low and the stability is poor.

Precautions for using Solar Cell

• Installation quality: The installation of solar cells and related equipment must be carried out by professional installation personnel and in strict accordance with the installation procedures and technical standards to ensure the quality and safety of the installation. The installation surface must be flat and clean, and the sealing and waterproof treatment must be done well to prevent water leakage and damage to the solar cells.


• Shading problem: Avoid shading of the solar cells by surrounding buildings, trees and other obstacles as much as possible. Shading will seriously affect the power generation efficiency of the solar cells and may even cause hot spots and damage to the cells.


• Regular maintenance: Regularly maintain and inspect the solar cell system to ensure the normal operation of the equipment. Check the surface of the cells, the connectors and other components regularly to detect and deal with potential problems in time to prevent accidents and equipment failures. Clean the surface of the cells regularly to ensure good light transmission and power generation efficiency.


• Impact resistance: Although solar cells have a certain degree of impact resistance, it is still necessary to avoid the impact of heavy objects and sharp objects on the cells to prevent damage to the cells and the power generation system. In areas with high wind and hail risks, appropriate protective measures should be taken.


• Grid connection safety: When the solar cell system is connected to the power grid, it is necessary to ensure the compatibility and stability of the grid connection. The power quality and grid connection standards of the generated electricity must meet the requirements of the power grid to ensure the safe and stable operation of the power grid.

Things to consider when purchasing Solar Cell

• Conversion efficiency: Consider the conversion efficiency of the solar cells to ensure that they can meet the power generation requirements. Choose solar cells with high conversion efficiency and stable power output to improve the economic and energy-saving benefits.


• Type and quality: Select the appropriate type of solar cells according to the specific application scenario and requirements. Consider the quality and durability of the cells and the semiconductor materials to ensure that the solar cells can operate stably and continuously for a long time. Choose well-known brands and reliable manufacturers to ensure the quality and after-sales service.[!--empirenews.page--]


• Cost and investment return: Consider the initial investment cost, operation and maintenance cost, power generation income and other factors to calculate the investment return period and economic benefit of the solar cells. Select the solar cells with the best cost performance and the shortest investment return period under the premise of meeting the requirements of power generation.


• Environmental protection: Consider the impact of the solar cells on the environment and the surrounding area. Select solar cells with low noise and small environmental impact to reduce the impact on the lives of the surrounding residents and the ecological environment.

Terms of Solar Cell

Some common terms in solar cell technology include photovoltaic effect, p-n junction, semiconductor material, conversion efficiency, light transmission, durability, shading effect, grid connection, etc. Understanding these terms is helpful for better understanding and operation of solar cell systems.