Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cell

Polycrystalline silicon, also called multicrystalline silicon, polysilicon, poly-Si or mc-Si, is a high-purity, polycrystalline form of silicon used as a raw material by the solar photovoltaic and electronics industries, produced from metallurgical grade silicon through a chemical purification process called the Siemens process. Polycrystalline solar cells, often called multi-crystalline panels, are made by melting multiple silicon fragments together into large square ingots that are sliced into wafers, and are recognizable by their square shape and blue, speckled, mosaic-like appearance, typically reaching an efficiency of 14 to 18 percent. They are valued as cost-effective, durable photovoltaic devices well suited to large-scale, budget-conscious solar projects, and multicrystalline solar cells consume most of the polysilicon produced worldwide. Polysilicon is distinct from both monocrystalline silicon and amorphous silicon.