Which type of silicon cell yields higher efficiency because electrons face fewer barriers to movement?
Answer
Monocrystalline cells
Solar grade silicon is utilized in two primary forms: monocrystalline and polycrystalline, each offering different trade-offs between efficiency and cost. Monocrystalline cells are superior in performance because they are cut from a single, continuous crystal structure. This uniformity minimizes structural defects or boundaries within the material. Consequently, electrons face fewer internal barriers or impediments during their excited movement, allowing for a more efficient conversion of light into electrical current compared to cells made from multiple, less perfectly aligned crystals.
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