The color of solar panels varies between black and blue depending on the type of silicon crystals they are made of, and how they interact with light.
Blue and black solar panels
Solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells, which contain a semiconductor, silicon. Silicon is a solid and delicate crystalline mass that helps convert sunlight into energy. Silicon has two basic types: monocrystalline and polycrystalline, or polycrystalline, and each type is used to make a different type of solar panel. The difference in the type of silicone used results in a difference in the color of the panels between black and blue.
What separates blue and black solar panels
The difference in the type of silicon used in the manufacture of solar panels causes many differences between them, from color to efficiency and cost.
Blue solar panels: polycrystalline silicon
Solar panels that rely on polycrystalline silicon cells are blue in color, and each cell consists of several silicon crystals connected in an irregular shape, made by collecting many silicon crystals, melting them, then pouring them into a mold, and they remain until they cool and form the structure, then they are joined again to form the panel.
Blue polycrystalline silicon solar panels have good light absorption efficiency. And it costs less because of its simpler way of making it. Some also find blue to be prettier.
On the other hand, the solar cells used in polycrystalline panels are less efficient and break easily.
Black solar panels: monocrystalline silicon
Black solar panels are made of pure monocrystalline silicon, i.e. one silicon crystal is used to make one solar cell. In this case, silicon is melted, from which the silicon atom is lifted and a larger crystal is formed. Large crystals are cut into squares or wafers to make monocrystalline solar cells and appear black as a result of their interaction with light.
One of the disadvantages of this method is the waste of silicon, but on the other hand, monocrystalline panels produce higher energy, as they are more efficient in converting solar energy into electricity, and they are best in areas with little sunlight, and they work efficiently when the weather is cloudy, and they do not occupy a large area compared to other types others, last longer, and cost less to install.
Monocrystalline silicon panels, on the other hand, are more expensive, and their efficiency decreases slightly as temperatures rise. However, its energy loss is minimal.
Thin film solar panels
There is a third type of solar panel that has a blue or black color, depending on the material from which it is made, as it does not always contain silicon, so cadmium telluride may be used, which is the most common material for thin-film solar panels.
it is also used in making other types of thin-film solar panels with amorphous silicon or copper indium gallium selenide.
Thin-film panels are thinner than the crystalline types, but the size of the panels can be the size of polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon panels, and they are less expensive, lighter in weight, and not affected by high temperatures, in addition to being flexible, that is, they can be installed on any type of surface Because it is collapsible.
On the other hand, these panels are less efficient compared to other panels and therefore need more space to achieve the same efficiency as the crystal panels and their life is shorter.
In the end, after seeing the differences between blue and black solar panels, you can now choose the most suitable for you depending on the amount of energy you need to generate, the cost and your budget, the space available to you, and you may choose it according to your preference for color.
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