Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular way of generating renewable energy. By harnessing the power of the sun, they can generate electricity that can be used to power homes and businesses. But how are these solar panels made? In this article, we will take a look at the process of making solar cells in the United Kingdom.
Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, are the heart of a solar panel. They are made up of layers of silicon, a semiconductor material that can convert sunlight into electricity. The process of making solar cells starts with the production of silicon wafers, which are thin slices of silicon that are used as the base for the solar cells.
The first step in making silicon wafers is to purify the silicon. This is done by melting the silicon in a furnace at temperatures of up to 1,500 degrees Celsius. The molten silicon is then drawn out into a long cylindrical rod, which is called an ingot. The ingot is then sliced into thin wafers using a diamond wire saw.
The next step is to add impurities to the silicon to create a p-n junction. This is done by doping the silicon with small amounts of other elements such as boron or phosphorus. The doping process creates a layer of positive charge on one side of the wafer and a layer of negative charge on the other side.
Once the wafers have been doped, they are coated with a layer of anti-reflective material. This material helps to reduce the amount of light that is reflected off the surface of the solar cell, increasing the amount of sunlight that can be absorbed.
The next step is to add a layer of metal contacts to the solar cell. These contacts are used to carry the electricity generated by the solar cell to the outside world. The contacts are made of a thin layer of metal, such as silver or aluminum, that is deposited onto the surface of the solar cell using a process called sputtering.
The final step in making solar cells is to package them into a solar panel. This involves connecting multiple solar cells together and encapsulating them in a layer of protective material, such as glass or plastic. The protective layer helps to protect the solar cells from the elements and ensures that they continue to work for many years.
In the United Kingdom, there are several companies that manufacture solar cells and solar panels. One of the largest is Sharp Solar, which has a manufacturing facility in Wrexham, North Wales. The facility produces both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells, which are used in a variety of solar panel applications.
Another UK-based company that produces solar cells is PV Crystalox Solar. The company operates a manufacturing facility in Oxfordshire, where it produces multicrystalline silicon wafers for use in solar cells.
In conclusion, the process of making solar cells in the United Kingdom involves several steps, including purifying the silicon, doping the silicon to create a p-n junction, coating the silicon with anti-reflective material, adding metal contacts, and packaging the solar cells into a solar panel. While the process may seem complex, the end result is a clean, renewable source of energy that can help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change.
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