Various technologies / cells

A large number of technologies use the photovoltaic effect. Most of these are still at the research stage. Currently, the main technologies used in industry are:

Crystal silicon:

There are two types of cell based on crystal silicon:

"single-crystal" type cells:

Crude silicon is melted to create a bar. When the silicon is slowly and carefully cooled, a single crystal is obtained.

A "wafer" (slice of silicon) is then cut from the bar of silicon. After a number of processes (surface treatment using acid, doping and creation of the p-n connection, deposit of anti-reflection layer, fitting of commutators) the "wafer" becomes a cell.

BP Solar manufactures single-crystal cells using an innovative technology known as SATURN. The principle consists of incorporating electron collection grids into the thickness of the cell (laser etching).

- "poly-crystal" type cells:

The "wafer" is sawn from a bar of silicon in which forced cooling has created a poly-crystalline structure.

- Thin layer:

"Thin layer" technology refers to a type of cell (or module) obtained by spreading a thin layer of amorphous silicon on a sub-layer (glass).


A number of technologies (depending on the alloy used) are currently used in industry.