HOW SCHOTT PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS WORK

SCHOTT Solar is a cutting-edge manufacturer within the solar industry. Their aim is to combine optimum performance with extreme durability.

Over 95% of today's solar cells consist of the semiconductor material silicon. Semiconductors are materials whose electrical conductivity increases under light or heat.

For the production of solar cells, the silicon is doped, which means that other chemical elements are added to it, either creating an electron surplus (n-conductive layer) or an electron shortage (p-conductive layer). This means that the doped areas become charged, and if two differently doped semiconductor areas convene, a so-called space charge region is created at the boundary layer (p-n junction), meaning there is a difference in electrical potential across the boundary.

In order to achieve the desired effect, the initial silicon material is normally p-doped lightly and a thin surface layer heavily n-doped. This creates the space charge region required for separating the charge carriers, known as electrons (negative charge) and holes (positive charge).

When the energy from the sunlight hits the semiconductor material, the photons transfer their energy to the material, and the electrons and holes achieve a higher energy state, allowing them to move. The negatively charged electrons will move to the positively charged region, and the positively charged holes move to the negatively charged region. This process repeats itself, and the net flow of charge across the boundary is the electricity that is generated by that cell! To generate usable amounts of electricity, cells are arranged into modules, which are in turn arranged into your PV array.

The front contact is a metallic grid, enabling the sunlight to penetrate into silicon between the contacts. Moreover, solar cells are also coated with an anti-reflection coating, serving to protect the cell and to reduce energy losses resulting from reflection. This layer gives the solar cells their typical bluish black appearance.

Please use the menu on the left for more information on our photovoltaic solar panels from SCHOTT Solar or contact us through any of the following:

• click Call Me Back link on the left sidebar
• call 01938 530 070
• visit Contact Us
• or email us here

Our Showroom and Training Academy is also available by appointment. To reserve a presentation meeting please complete our Feedback Form here.