Photovoltaic material

Apart from energy advantages, photovoltaic material has several features which, if known, can be used in a BiPV system to optimize its integration at a thermal and/or visual level, such as for example: colours, motifs and reflections.

Knowledge of aspects concerning the environment, the law, norms and guarantees  is of help in promotiong photovoltaic integration in buildings.

Clarification on nomenclature and on the different types of modules are presented below.

Photovoltaic cell - Photovoltaic module - Photovoltaic plant

Different types of modules

Modules with monocrystalline cells (initials sc-Si)

The cells are cut from a monocrystalline silicon cylinder. In order to lay them on a rectangular module, their form is chosen according to technical, economic and aesthetic criteria. Square cells with rounded corners allow maximum optimization of the number of cells per module (power per m²) and reduces to a minimum material losses. Round, square or square cells with chamfered corners also exist. Monocrystalline cell colour is uniform.

Weight: 9-18 kg/m²
Power: 75-140 Wp/m²
Efficiency: 15-22%

Modules with multicrystalline cells (initials mc-Si)

The multi-crystalline silicon cells are generally cut from square or rectangular ingots. The spotted and shiny surfaces are a characteristic of their multi-crystalline nature.

Weight: 9-18 kg/m²
Power: 75-140 Wp/m²
Efficiency: 10-15%

Modules with thin-film cells

Thin-film cells are deposited directly on a substrate of either glass, stainless steel or polymer. Depending on the substrate chosen and thanks to the very fine thickness of the semi-conducting film, the cells and therefore the modules can be rendered completely flexible. Various materials are used such as  amorphous silicon (a-si), Cadmium telluride (CdTe), Copper-Indium-Diselenide (CIS) etc. Their colour is uniform.

Weight: 3-13 kg/m² (depends on the substract)
Power: 40-65 Wp/m²
Efficiency: 5-8%