PV - Desk top study

Choice of PV module composition

Photovoltaic module types fall into three broad families. The first family is the silicon-based family, with the charge-producing layer being made from doped silicon, whether in monocrystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous form. The second family is the Gallium Arsenide range of PV's, and the third is the more exotic copper indium diselinide and cadmium telluride family.

For our purposes only the silicon family of photovoltaics will be considered. The other types of PV were found to be too expensive, too inefficient or not commercially available and as such were not considered.

Please see the summary table below for information on PV types.

Conclusion

Although not the cheapest option, monocrystalline silicon has been chosen as the best PV module composition for our needs. It is readily available, highly efficient and durable. Polycrystalline silicon is not so efficient and as such we would have to have a much larger PV array to equal the amount of electricity produced by monocrystalline silicon. We suspect that we will require large areas of PV to power the house and that because of this, the space to install PV will be at a premium.

Amorphous silicon is an up-and-coming alternative to crystalline PV and has been recently increasing in popularity. Despite its attractive price, its low efficiency means it is simply not viable. We will need too many panels. Even through amorphous is cheap, the vast area it will take up and its increasing costs for maintenance and installation (i.e. brackets, frames, etc.) make it too impractical.