How Solar Panels are Made

There are two main types of panels, the first are crystalline solar panels. Here silicon- the main component in all solar panels- is sliced into thin wafers and polished to remove imperfections. A layer of phosphorous is then used to coat the wafer and are then heated. The phosphorous is diffused into the silicone and then the wafer is covered with a thin conductive grid. To complete the panel the wafers are then bonded with a thin layer of protective glass and sealed to its supports by using thermally conductive cement.

The entire process involves the heavy use of precision automated tools and vacuums to ensure the wafers are to exact specifications and without flaws that would inhibit their ability to generate electricity. 

But unfortunately crystalline panels are known for the stiff inflexibility and fragility.

This is where the second type of panel make their mark. Amorphous solar panels differ greatly in construction from crystalline panels. By being manufactured using vaporized silicon, which is diffused into extremely thin layers, these panels become flexible, and much less fragile than their crystalline counterparts. These layers specialize in absorbing different parts of the light spectrum giving these panels the power to absorb greater amounts of energy from the same amount of light.

Because these layers are also thinner than those used in crystalline cells, they can cut the cost of production in half. 

Some units also come with multiple circuits, meaning if part of the unit is in the shade it will not cease output completely, as crystalline are sometimes known to do.

While solar panels, especially with the advent of the amorphous panel, are a great way to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, their production is very sensitive and complicated. In order to create the cells properly precision tools and equipment must be used, as well as vacuums and non-disintegrating materials. But the advent of amorphous bodes well for the sustainable future of these high-tech devices.