Monocrystalline photovoltaic electric solar energy panels are the oldest and most dependable kind of solar energy. The module is built of a single silicon crystal, which is very efficient, and the production process is comparable to that of semi-conductors. Nevertheless, the solar cells are complex and huge, with a capacity of 10-50MW and a land area of over 5000 m2 for laying a plant. Furthermore, the efficiency of monocrystaline solar panels is expected to be 24.2% as of June 2010, which is sufficient to power houses and businesses in the United States. In addition, it is easy to convert around 29% of the sunlight into electricity using crystalline solar cells, thus, convenience is highly guaranteed (Desmet et al, 2012).
Advantages of monocrystalline solar panels
It last longer
Monocrystalline solar panels are the first type of solar technology that have been supplying power of over three decades a true evidence of durability and longevity. Also, the procedure for installation and performance issues is well known to many of its users since many of the solar panels installed in the early 1970’s is still functioning besides, a single crystal can supply electricity up to 50 years and the warrants goes up to 25 years an offer that cannot be given to any other solar panel (Solar-facts-and-advice.com, 2017).
High efficiency
The monocystalline photovoltaic panels converts the highest volume of solar energy in comparison to any other form of solar panels such as solar photovoltaic (Green et al, 2015). Similarly, its installation saves on space most especially to residence in urban setting or places with limited spaces, since, it is installed at the rooftop making it the most efficient source of electricity and an individual can get enough electricity from the solar panels installed where space is limited.
Its installation is affordable
The cost incurred in installation of solar panels is around 60% of the total cost when installing solar power system. The process of installation is only laying the panels in a way that they can converge as much energy as possible in comparison to mounting rails when installing solar power system (Saga, 2010). Also, with the manual, the owner can handle the task as the process does not need high manpower saving on the cost of hiring people to help in the installation, thus, the best and cheap source of energy to use at home.
The panels are environment friendly
Most thin film solar products are made of cadmium telluride a heavy metal that accumulates in plants and animals tissues. Similarly, cadmium is carcinogenic in animals and human beings. However the fact that cadmium telluride have no effects when in use, when disposed after use results to toxicity as there is no end of life programme offered by the supply and manufacture company, hence, monocrystalline solar panels becomes the most environment friendly source of energy from the solar panels since it is not made up of cadmium telluride (Solar-facts-and-advice.com, 2017).
Generation of huge volume of electricity
Installation of monocrystalline solar panels in large plants will not only cut the cost but also avoid the overdependence of fossil fuels. In addition, monocrystaline will reduce the volume of electricity needed from the local power plants as well as the cost of bills paid for consumption of electricity from power plants. Similarly, the issue of power rationing will end and a clean environment will be enhanced (Solar-facts-and-advice.com, 2017).
Disadvantages of Monocrystalline solar panels
Very brittle
The panels can be easily be broken by objects such as branches from trees and stones among other objects during strong winds. Despite the safety glass that covers the solar panels as a protective measure, there are some areas with falling and damage roofs which can result to damage of the solar panels more so during heavy rains and strong winds that carries away huge objects that can easily break the glass protectors( Solar-facts-and-advice.com, 2017).
High initial cost
The process of making Monocrystalline solar panels is very expensive since each photovoltaic panels is made up of single-cell crystal silicon, a very complex process. In addition, valuable silicon feedstock is costly and the procedure for making a single pure crystal is time consuming. Moreover, monocrystalline solar panels is higher in price compared to other solar panels such as photovoltaic, thus, the cost incurred in installation process is slightly expensive than other photovoltaic technologies installation ( Saga, 2010).
A lot of waste is released during processing of monocrystalline solar panels
Manufacture of monocrystalline silicon involves a process known as Czochralski which leads to large cylindrical ingots whereby four parts are cut off the ingots to make silicon wafers resulting to a huge wastage of the silicon used in the process (Desmet et al, 2012).
Performs better in warm temperature
It is noted that Monocrystalline solar panels performs the best in warm temperature and as the temperature goes up, its performance becomes slow making it unreliable during winter season during cold temperatures , therefore, shortage of electricity is likely to be experience during cold seasons (Green et al, 2015).
Major competitor in the market
The main competitors of Monocrystalline solar panels are Sun Power, LG.Panasonic, Solar World and Canadian solar. However, in terms of efficiency and high performance index Sun Power is considered as the world best with an average efficient rating of 20.6%.they also give a 25 years warranty thus edging out the rest in the market (Richardson, 2017).
Origins of technology
Solar energy technology or photovoltaic history dates back to 1876.this was after the discovery of electricity after exposing selenium to light by Richard ray and WilliumAdams. Although the selenium cells were inefficient, it was a major discovery that light without movement of parts or heat can be converted to electricity. Later, in 1953 silicon solar cell was discovered by Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson, and Daryl Chapin ("The History of Solar Power | Experience", 2017). The discovery was of immense importance as it led to actual production of electricity enough to run small electric devices. Therefore, marked as a new era more research was done which led to availability of commercial solar cells in 1956.Thereafter,the usage of solar energy became more evident thus reduction in cost of installing solar panels because of competition and new technology.
References
Desmet, L., Ras, A. J. M., De Boer, D. K. G., & Debije, M. G. (2012). Monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic luminescent solar concentrator with 4.2% power conversion efficiency. Optics letters, 37(15), 3087-3089.
Green, M. A., Emery, K., Hishikawa, Y., Warta, W., & Dunlop, E. D. (2015). Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 45). Progress in photovoltaics: research and applications, 23(1), 1-9.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels: Advantages and Disadvantages. (2017). Solar-facts-and-advice.com. Retrieved 6 November 2017, from http://www.solar-facts-and-advice.com/monocrystalline.html
Richardson, L. (2017). Comparing SunPower to LG and Other Brands in 2017 | EnergySage. EnergySage Solar News Feed. Retrieved 5 November 2017, from http://news.energysage.com/comparing-top-solar-manufacturers-sunpower-vs-lg-panasonic-solarworld-suniva/
Saga, T. (2010). Advances in crystalline silicon solar cell technology for industrial mass production. NPG Asia Materials, 2(3), 96-102.
The History Of Solar Power | Experience. (2017). Experience. Retrieved 5 November 2017, from https://www.experience.com/advice/careers/ideas/the-history-of-solar-power/
