The first crystalline silicon based solar cell was developed almost 40 years ago, and are still working properly. Most of the manufacturing companies offer the 10 years or even longer warranties, on the crystalline silicon solar cells.
Commercially, the efficiency for mono-crystalline silicon solar cells is in the range of 16–18% (Outlook, 2018). Together with multi-crystalline cells, crystalline silicon-based cells are used in the largest quantity for standard module production, representing about 90% of the world's total PV cell production in 2008 (Outlook, 2018).
Monocrystalline cells were first developed in 1955 . They conduct and convert the sun’s energy to produce electricity. When sunlight hits the silicon semiconductor, enough energy is absorbed from the light to knock electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely. Crystalline silicon solar cells derive their name from the way they are made.
The crystalline silicon cell needs about 1.1 eV (Electron Volts) of energy to release an electron in the semiconductor; any energy that is more or less than this simply goes through the cell with no effect . This energy used to release the electron is unique for each material and is known as the material’s band gap.
Single crystal modules are usually smaller in size per watt than their polycrystalline counterparts . Why is silicon used in solar cells? The atomic structure of silicon makes it one of the ideal elements for this kind of solar cell.
Polycrystalline cells are made by melting the silicon material and pouring it into a mould . The uniformity of a single crystal cell gives it an even deep blue colour throughout. It also makes it more efficient than the polycrystalline solar modules whose surface is jumbled with various shades of blue .