Used as semiconductor material for a-Si solar cells, or thin-film silicon solar cells, it is deposited in thin films onto a variety of flexible substrates, such as glass, metal and plastic. Amorphous silicon cells generally feature low efficiency.
Unlike other solar panels, amorphous solar panels don't use traditional cells; instead, they're constructed using a deposition process that involves forming an extremely thin silicon layer on top of a substrate. The thin film interconnects using laser-cut patterns instead of the mechanical connections used in traditional solar panels.
Longer Lifespan: Silicon solar cells generally have a longer lifespan and are more durable over time. Stability: Silicon solar cells exhibit greater stability and lower degradation rates than some amorphous silicon counterparts.
The overall efficiency of this new type of solar cell was 7.1–7.9% (under simulated solar light), which is comparable to that of amorphous silicon solar cells .
Amorphous silicon solar cells can be fabricated in a stacked structure to form multijunction solar cells. This strategy is particularly successful for amorphous materials, both because there is no need for lattice matching, as is required for crystalline heterojunctions, and also because the band gap is readily adjusted by alloying.
Solar Water Heating: Amorphous silicon solar panels can be utilized for solar water heating systems in residential properties. These panels absorb sunlight and convert it into thermal energy, which is used to heat water for domestic use, reducing reliance on traditional water heating methods.