Thin Film Solar (CIGS) vs. Monocrystalline Solar: Differences and Prospects
I. Thin Film Solar (CIGS)
1. Manufacturing process
Thin-film solar (CIGS) is a photovoltaic technology that utilizes thin films made of copper, indium, gallium, selenium and other
elements as absorber materials. The first step in manufacturing CIGS thin-film solar cells is to prepare a CIGS absorber layer, usu-
ally by vacuum evaporation or sputtering. Next, a transparent conductive film and back electrode are added to the absorber layer
to form a complete solar cell. This manufacturing process has the advantages of high production efficiency and low cost.
2. Performance Characteristics
CIGS thin film solar cells have high photoelectric conversion efficiency and good low light performance. In addition, the CIGS mat-
erial system is flexible and adjustable, and the performance can be optimized by changing the elemental ratios. However, CIGS thin-
film solar cells have a shorter lifespan, are more expensive than commercially available products, and have the risk of environmental
pollution, which are their main shortcomings.
3. Application Areas
Because CIGS thin-film solar cells are thin, lightweight and bendable, they are suitable for the manufacture of solar modules for wear-
able devices, automobiles and buildings. In addition, CIGS technology can also be used to manufacture concentrated photovoltaic sys-
tems to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency.
II. Monocrystalline Silicon Solar
1.Manufacturing process
Monocrystalline silicon solar cells are solar cells made from high-purity monocrystalline silicon. The steps for manufacturing monocry-
stalline silicon solar cells include cutting, polishing, etching and coating. First, high-purity monocrystalline silicon rods are cut into wafers
of a certain size, then polished and etched to remove surface defects and impurities. Finally, the wafers are coated to increase conductivity
and light transmission to form complete solar cells
2.Performance Characteristics
Monocrystalline silicon solar cells have high photoelectric conversion efficiency and long life. Compared with CIGS thin-film solar cells,
monocrystalline silicon solar cells have better stability and are suitable for a variety of harsh environments. In addition, monocrystalline
silicon material system is mature and easy to prepare, so it has a certain advantage in terms of production cost. However, the manufact-
uring process of monocrystalline silicon solar cells produces a large amount of waste and pollution, which is its main shortcoming.
3. Application areas
Monocrystalline silicon solar cells are widely used in photovoltaic power plants, large-scale photovoltaic power plants and rooftop photo-
voltaics. Due to its high photoelectric conversion efficiency and long life, monocrystalline silicon solar cells have become one of the mains-
tream technologies in the photovoltaic industry. In addition, monocrystalline silicon solar cells can also be used to manufacture various sha-
pes and sizes of photovoltaic modules to meet the needs of different application scenarios.
III. Development prospects
In the future development, the two technologies will compete with each other and learn from each other to achieve higher photoelectric
conversion efficiency and lower cost.
Now on the market has appeared a lot of flexible solar panels made of monocrystalline silicon, the degree of bending has been
comparable to CIGS, I believe that the use of monocrystalline silicon solar panels in the future will be more and more ahead of
the curve.