• Monocrystalline Made from cells cut from single silicon crystals

• Multicrystalline (also Called Polycrystalline) Made from cells cut from several silicon crystals

• Amorphous Rather than cut cells, silicon material is deposited in thin layers on the back of glass or plastic surface. The surface is then scored to divide it into a number of cells, and electrical connections are added.

Monocrystalline and Multicrystalline A crystal is the regular geometric state taken up by the elements in certain conditions. Mono- and Multicrystalline cells are silicon wafers sliced from cylindrical silicon crystals. These wafers are then chemically treated in furnaces to enhance their electric properties, after which an anti-reflect coating is applied to the cell surface to help it absorb radiation more effectively. Thin metal wires are soldered to the front of the cell. These “ribbons” of metal on the cell act as the positive contact, whereas a solid layer of metal on the back side of the cell acts as a negative contact.

Monocrystalline and Multicrystalline are chemically stable, making them durable and will last for a very long time, if properly protected. They provide ideal technology for making medium to large solar panels.

Monocrystalline cells have a single colour tone, whereas Multicrystalline cell surfaces have multi patterns. Multicrystalline cells have an efficiency of 9-13%, compared to 11-16% for the Monocrystalline. (i.e. if solar radiation is striking the cells at a perpendicular angle with an intensity of 1000W/M², 90 to 130 Watts per m² of solar cell is converted to electricity).