Polycrystalline silicon
OverviewNovel ideasVs monocrystalline siliconComponentsDeposition methodsUpgraded metallurgical-grade siliconPotential applicationsManufacturers
The use of polycrystalline silicon in the production of solar cells requires less material and therefore provides higher profits and increased manufacturing throughput. Polycrystalline silicon does not need to be deposited on a silicon wafer to form a solar cell, rather it can be deposited on other, cheaper materials, thus reducing the cost. Not requiring a silicon wafer alleviates the silicon shortages occasionally faced by the microelectronics industry. An example of not using a silicon wafer is crystalli