Single-Crystal Silicon Photovoltaic Cells

Single-crystal silicon cells convert sunlight into electricity using the photovoltaic effect. When light strikes the silicon material, energy from the photons dislodges electrons, allowing them to flow through the material and generate a direct current (DC). The high purity and uniform crystal structure of single-crystal silicon enable efficient electron movement, enhancing energy conversion. The CZ method used to manufacture these cells involves melting high-purity polycrystalline silicon in a quartz crucible, dipping a single-crystal seed into the melt, and slowly pulling it out to form a cylindrical ingot. This ingot is sliced into wafers, polished, and doped with other elements to create the necessary electric fields.