Photovoltaics – what exactly is it?

Photovoltaics is a method of converting sunlight directly into electricity using the photoelectric phenomenon on large-area semiconductor photovoltaic diodes.

The individual diodes called photovoltaic cells are usually combined into larger units – photovoltaic panels. The cells themselves are of two types – crystalline and thin-film. The crystalline cells are formed on thin plates of semiconductor material, and the thin-film cells are applied directly to glass or other substrate. Silicon predominates in crystalline technologies, whether monocrystalline or multicrystalline, other materials are used only in special applications. There are several thin film technologies, such as amorphous and microcrystalline silicon, the combination of which is called tandem, cadmium telluride and CIGS compounds.

Growing interest in renewable energy sources and subsidies on such solutions keeps improving the production of photovoltaic panels and systems considerably.

The total installed capacity was almost 714 GW worldwide at the end of 2020, with an increase of 134 GW in 2020 – a 23% increase compared to the previous year 2019. This installed capacity enables annual production of approximately 700 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity.

How will solar panel technology evolve?

Currently, the evolution of solar panel technology is not supposed to be much different in the forthcoming decade – the future of panels will still be based on silicon technology.

Li Zhenguo, CEO of LONGi Green Energy Technology, which is currently the largest solar panel manufacturer in the world, believes that within the next ten years, the silicon solar cell will still figure as the main technology of the photovoltaic industry. He also claims, due to the fact that advanced technology and innovation are used, the efficiency of silicon cells will increase so that the energy production will become cheaper. 

However, Li Zhenguo also calls for more investment in the research and development of new technologies and materials in the photovoltaic industry. The CEO claims that the rapid development of monocrystalline silicon cell technology has made solar energy one of the cheapest options for electricity production in the world. All this has boosted solar energy production and strengthened its role in the world of energy. However, the variable nature of electricity generation in a given area limits the growth of photovoltaics. In order to overcome this obstacle, various storage systems that can effectively overcome this variable nature are being introduced, for example hydro-pumped power stations, batteries, or chemical means such as hydrogen. 

Due to the constant pressure to reduce production costs, solar energy is expected to be the cheapest process for producing green hydrogen. Li Zhenguo explains that the high demand for hydrogen guarantees the possibility of developing the photovoltaic industry in the future, resulting in reducing the production cost of solar energy. 

In conclusion, Li Zhenguo is convinced that the combination of photovoltaics and green hydrogen will open the door to decarbonization and renewables around the world.