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A Comparative Analysis Between the Performances of

Monocrystalline,Polycrystalline and Amorphous Thin Film in Different
Temperatures at Different Locations in Egypt

Conference Paper · March 2014

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 A Comparative Analysis Between the Performances of
Monocrystalline,Polycrystalline and Amorphous Thin
Film in Different Temperatures at Different Locations in
Egypt
A. A. Hossam El-din and C. F. Gabra Ahmed H. H. Ali
Department of Electrical Engineering Department of Energy Resource and Enviromental Engineering
Alexandria University Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology
Alexandria 21544, Egypt. Alexandria 21934, Egypt.
[email protected] m, [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract – Study of the factors and parameters that compared a ratio named performance ratio (PR) representing
affect the performance of photovoltaic (PV) cells is by this ratio the efficiency of each type. They recommended
significantly important to help researchers to understand , the amorphous thin film for the same location in the hot
design, develop, and optimize their use .PV module months of summer. They claimed that the polycrystalline had
temperature is a function of the incident radiant power a lo wer PR at h igher temperature, it showed no degradation in
density,the output electrical power and the thermal efficiency for three years of study, while the amorphous
properties of the semiconductor material used in the efficiency degraded in the second year.
manufacture of the module. Only part of the incident solar S. Jacques et al [2] tested monocrystalline solar panels (in
spectrum is converted into electricity ,while the rest is France) wh ile controlling the amb ient temperature and the
diffused as heat. This heat causes the increase of the wind speed. They co mpared their experimental results with a
module temperature which leads to the decrease of the MATLAB/SIMULINK thermal model for a monocrystalline
module efficiency and output power. cells under the same conditions and they obtained consist ent
This study investigated experimentally and theoretically relations. Another research is done by M. R. Abdelkader [3]
the effects of ambient air temperature on performance of on the behaviour of two types of solar panels which are the
thin fil m photovoltaic (PV) panel under real outdoor monocrystalline and polycrystalline and there behavio urs is
condi tions in humi d harsh climate of Borg Al -Arab-Alex- measured in a semi-arid p lace in Jordan, and he has concluded
Egypt. The experimental study investigated the effect of that the efficiencies of the monocrystalline and polycrystalline
ambient air dry bul b temperature on performance of PV where very close fro m each other but the monocrystalline had
panel. Theoretical study predicted the performance of the a higher efficiency than the polycrystalline. The present study
PV panel at various metrological condi tions in different aims to clarify the effect o f amb ient air temperature on PV
locati on insi de Eg ypt. In addi tion, the model investigated panel performance degradation and efficiency. Fu rthermore,
the characteristics and performances of the this study will provide clear module verification of the
monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels by using developed module and experimental measurements to insure
PSIM simulation package. the validity, reliability and accountability of the
recommendations built on this model. In addition, this study
Index Terms - Photovoltaic power systems, will provide a reco mmendation for the PV system designer to
photovoltaic cell thermal factors, solar energy, solar choose the panels suitable for a given location according to
power generation, thermal modeling. amb ient temperature level in this area.
I. INT RODUCTION II. M ATHEMATICAL M ODEL
Solar energy has emerged as a renewable, clean, reliable and Solar cell can be represented by the equivalent circuit shown
free source of energy encapsulated in photovoltaic (PV) cells . in Fig. 1 .Rs represents the very small series resistance and
It was necessary to investigate different types of solar cells Rsh is the large shunt resistance. Dj is the ideal P–N diode,
and make the real co mparison between their performance and Iph is the photocurrent source generated proportionally by the
economy to choose the proper one for certain industrial surface temperature and insolation. V and I represent the
application. So me of previous researches have done surveys output voltage and output current of the solar cell,
on the outdoor performance of the d ifferent types of solar respectively. The I–V characteristics of PV module could be
panels at different weather temperatures and solar irradiance. expressed as follows [4]:
Thongpao et al [1] have done measurements on Amorphous
and polycrystalline solar panels in different weather - - (1)
temperatures and solar irradiances in Thailand. They had
In Eq. (1), q is the electron charge, K represents the Boltzman The experimental work was done on the solar module during
constant, T in Kelvin is the surface temperature of PV module the first half of August-2013 for 14 days, which is considered
and A shows the ideality factor (A = 1–5). ns is the number of one of the hottest months in the year . The maximu m average
cells connected in series and np is the number of cells amb ient temperature during this month of the year in Borg Al
connected in parallel. The module reverse saturation current Arab reaches 28 C. Temperature, hu midity and solar
irradiance are measured using a portable metrological weather
Isat shown in Eq. (2) varies with temperature T:
station consisting of a solar cell module having the same tilt
and azimuth angle of the tested module. The data was
- (2) instantaneously recorded and the average value was reported
each 15 minutes on an LCD attached to this metrological
weather station. In order to determine the characteristics of the
Eg is the energy of the band gap for silicon (Eg∼=1.1 eV), and solar panel; a variable resistive load(Fig.3) was directly
Tr is the reference temperature of solar cell. The Iph in connected to the tested module. The variable resistance used
amperes expressed in Eq. (3) represents the photocurrent consists of 13 steps (8, 12, 16, 24, 29, 35, 46, 68 , 90, 135,
proportionally produced to the level of cell surface 154, 200 and 264 Oh ms) with maximu m power dissipation of
temperature and radiation. Isc is the short-circuit current, Ki is 210 W.An ammeter and a voltameter used with ranges of 0 to
the short-circuit current temperature coefficient, and S i is the 25 A and 0 to 1000V respectievely. The connection diagram is
solar radiation in W/m2 : shown in Fig.4.
- ( 3)

Fig. 1 The equivalent circuit of a solar cell

III. EXPERIMENTAL WORK

Fig.2 Hybrid system located in Borg Al Arab
The module used is a thin film panel, it is manufactured by
Solar Frontier co mpany-Japan and its code is SF080, this solar
panel is a part of a hybrid system consisting of a wind turbine
with a controller and an inverter(Fig.2). The maximu m output
power of the hybrid system is 800W. The experimental work
is done directly on the solar panel which consists of 108 ce lls,
with dimensions 1.235 m in length, 0.64m in width and
35mm in height. It weighs 12.4Kg. It is directed to the south
west making an azimut
. The specifications are shown in Table I . The
reference temperature was taken as 25 C and the reference
irradiance is 1000 W/ m2 . Fig.3 Variable resistive load 15 steps 210W

Table I
MODULE SPECIFICATIONS IN DATA SHEET

Maximum power 80W

Open circuit voltage 56.5V
Short circuit current 2.26A

Voltage of maximum power 41V

Fig.4 Connection diagram used to determine the solar panel
Current of maximum power 1.95A characteristics.
 III. EXPERIMENTAL RESULT S Fig .5 shows the relation between the output voltage and
output current of the solar panel at different temperatures and
The results were registered for 5 times at each point and the solar irradiances, while Fig.6 shows the relation of the output
average value was reported for all temperatures and solar voltage and output power in watts. It is clear that the output
irradiances. The results are tabulated in Table II, Tab le III and voltage of the solar panel decreases with the temperature
Table IV. increase and the output current (short circuit) slightly
increases. This is due to the increase of the Rseries and Rshunt ,
Table II
RESULTS AT TEMPERATURE 26 C AND SOLAR IRRADIANCE 490W/M²
the increase in those two important parameters in the solar cell
circuit leads to the increase of the voltage drop on the Rseries
Output Output Load Output which lead to the decrease of the open circuit voltage of the
voltage (V) current (A) (Ohm) power (W) solar cell decreasing also the cell efficiency since the power
57.5 0 Infinity 0 dissipation in the circuit resistance increases due to the
56.8 0.21 264 11.93
increase of the resistance value. The increase of the Rshunt
56.5 0.28 200 15.82
56.2 0.36 154 20.23 causes that the current dissipating in the resistance decreases
55.8 0.4 135 22.32 slightly wh ich cause the increase of output short circuit
55.03 0.61 90 33.57 current. Fig.7 shows the variat ion of the output power of the
53.84 0.78 68 42 solar panel during different hours of the day. This is due the
51.53 1.16 46 59.77 maximu m solar irrad iance at this time.
50.1 1.35 35 67.64
49.7 1.76 29 68.6
43.3 1.85 24 81.5
34 2 16 71.14
25.35 2.05 12 53.7
16 2.11 8 34.1

Table III
RESULTS AT TEMPERATURE 27 C AND SOLAR IRRADIANCE 450W/M²
Output Output Load Output
voltage (V) current(A) (Ohm) power (W)
57.1 0 Infinity 0
56.5 0.2 264 11.3
55.9 0.27 200 15.1
55.7 0.36 154 20.05
54.9 0.41 135 22.32
53.8 0.61 90 32.8
53.1 0.78 68 41.42
50.8 1.16 46 58.9
49.6 1.32 35 65.4
44.45 1.65 29 73.34 Fig.5 Comparison between V-I curves at different temperatures and solar
42.85 1.87 24 80.1 irradiances
32.1 2.09 16 67.08
24.1 2.1 12 50.6
15.3 2.13 8 32.58

Table IV
RESULTS AT TEMPERATURE 27 C AND SOLAR IRRADIANCE 450W/M²

Output Output Load Output

voltage(V) current(A) (Ohm) power (W)
56.6 0 Infinity 0
56.3 0.2 264 11.26
55.1 0.27 200 14.8
54.9 0.37 154 20
54.1 0.41 135 22.18
53 0.62 90 32.8
51.3 0.8 68 41.04
50.1 1.18 46 58.34
48.9 1.49 35 72.81
40.3 1.9 24 76.57
23 2.2 12 50.6 Fig.6 Comparison between V-P curves at different tempe ratures and
14 2.14 8 30 solar irradiances
 Fig.9 The output module V-I curves obtained from simulation
Fig. 7 Ave rage output power of the solar module at different days with
different average solar irradiance

IV. SIMULAT ION RESULT S

Fig.8 shows the connection diagram built in order to generate
the characterization of the solar panel. The simulat ion
provides a physical module of the solar panel with the ability
of changing the parameters of the solar module. Both V-I
curve and P-V curve are obtained fro m simu lation at different
temperatures and irradiances . Fig.9 and Fig.10 illustrates the
characteristics of the solar panel at the same weather
conditions obtained experimentally..The values of the shunt Fig.10 The output module V-P curves obtained from simulation
resistance and series resistance of the amorphous thin film
solar cells used in simulat ion are Ω d . Ω vely
V. M ODEL VALIDATION
with saturation current of 0.1 mA and temperature coefficient
for the amorphous type is -2.8%[5][6]. The developed module A comparison is made between the results obtained fro m the
is used to generate the characteristics of the panel by changing experimental measurements and the simulat ion model. The
the loading of it and instantaneously measure the output results showed the error obtained in the different parameters
voltage and current using Icell and Vcell. Output power is of the characteristics. The maximu m error was found in the
measured using a mu ltiply ing function of both. value of the voltage of maximu m power point with value of
6% which is considered an acceptable value in order to rely on
the simulat ion as a tool of pred iction of the performance of the
solar panel in d ifferent weather conditions [7][8]. Fig.11
shows a co mparison between the V-I curve obtained fro m
simu lation and measurements . Fig.12 shows the comparison
between the P-V curves. Table V represents the results of the
comparison made between the measured and simulated results.
This may indicate the consistence between the simu lated
results and the experimental one. This, also, indicates the
proper validation of the model.

Fig.8 connection diagram used for simulation Fig.11 Comparison between simulation and measurements (V-I curve )
 Fig.14 Monocrystalline output power at different temperatures

Fig.12 Comparison between simulation and measurements (P-V curve)

Table V
COMPARISON BETWEEN MEASUREMENTS AND SIMULATION

Voc (V) Isc (A) Vmpp (V) Impp (A)

Measured
57.7 2.2 43.3 1.85
Values
Simulated
57.2 2.26 41 1.95
Values
Deviation 0.8% 2.7% 6% 5.4%
Fig.15 Polycrystalline output power at different tempe ratures

VI. A PPLICATIONS It is noticeable from the previous figures that the three types of
solar cells are affected by the temperature rise and also each
type has its own efficiency. The monocrystalline solar cells
Using the developed model , itcan predict the performance of
comes in the first place then the polycrystalline and finally
the module under different ambient temperatures. The module
comes the amorphous thin film.This is consistent with Ali,
represents the amorphous thin film ,monocrystalline and
Skoplaki, Willams, Ahmed and Radzemka [10-14]. But not
polycrystalline solar panels .The characteristics of the three
only the efficiency that matters, the effect of temperature is
types of solar cells can be p redicted by changing their
also important. The amorphous thin film have (the least
parameters. Values used are 10KΩ for shunt resistance and 1
temperature factor shows the least decrease in efficiency due
Ω for series resistance and -0.46% for temperature factor of
to the temperature rise) then comes the polycrystalline and
monocrystalline and -0.5% for polycrystalline compared to -
finally the monocrystalline. This combination between the
0.28% for the thin film [9]. Monocrystalline and
temperature effect and efficiency of the solar panel makes the
polycrystalline solar cells have a higher shunt resistance and a
choice between them is hard in the hot and arid places .
lower series resistance compared to the thin film cell.
Although the monocrystalline has the higher efficiency it has
Crystalline solar cell has a higher temperature factor co mpared
also the highest temperature factor and vice versa for the
to the thin film one.Fig.13 shows the performance of the
amorphous thin film type . Table VI illustrates a comparison
amorphous thin film solar panel under different amb ient
between the results of the performance of the three types of
temperatures, Fig.14 illustrates the performance of the
solar panels showing the values of efficiencies of each type at
monocrystalline solar panel under different amb ient
different ambient temperature levels and the same solar
temperatures while Fig.15 shows the performance of
irradiance.
polycrystalline solar panel.
Table VI
COMPARISON BETWEEN EFFICIENCIES OF THE THREE TYPES OF SOLAR PANELS
AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

Temperature Monocrystalline Polycrystalline Amorphous

(Ambient) efficiency efficiency efficiency
C 15% 14% 10.36%
C 13% 12% 9.6%
C 12.8% 11% 9%
C 11% 10.2% 8.3%
C 9.9% 9.2% 7.9%
C 7.65% 7.5% 7.46%
Fig.13 Amorphous thin film output power at different temperatures
Using the previous data to determine the suitable type of
photovoltaic cell in d ifferent locations in Egypt ,the country
was divided into 4 horizontal sections.
The first section takes the north cost of Egypt, it
N taking horizontally all the north cost of Egypt and this
area is considered having the lowest temperatures level around
the year. The second takes the area of Metropolitan Cairo and
nearby, it N taking the area of Cairo and
the lowest side of delta till the beginning of upper Egypt and
this area has a relatively higher tempe ratures than the first
section. The third takes the area of As siut and nearby, it lies at
lat N taking the upper half o f Upper Egypt; this
area has high temperatures almost all months of the year. The Fig.18 Performance of different types of solar panels in third se ction of
last section takes the area of Aswan and the nearby, it Egypt.
N and it takes the lowest part of Egypt having the
highest temperatures in all the country all over the year. Fig.16
shows the performance of each type of solar panels in first
location while Fig.17 sows the performance in second
location, Fig.18 shows the performance in third location while
Fig.19 shows the performance in the fourth location.
Considering the temperatures in each location as the average
maximu m amb ient temperature in the five hot months of the
year (May, June, July, August and September). In first
location the average maximu m temperature is considered as
30 C ,
Fig.19 Performance of different types of solar panels in fourth section of
C Egypt.
[15][16].

VII. COST ANALYSIS

The cost analysis was made between the different types and it
showed that the amorphous thin film solar panel has the
lowest cost as well as the efficiency then comes the
polycrystalline and the highest cost is for the monocrystalline.
The monocrystalline is better although it has the highest cost
per watt peak, but as the temperature increases the efficiency
of the monocrystalline decreases . As the temperature exceeds
the 45 C all the efficiencies are almost equal which gives an
advantage to the amorphous thin film having the lowest
cost(Fig.19).Tab le VII illustrates a comparison between the
Fig.16 Performance of different types of solar panels in first section of
Egypt
average costs for the three types of solar panels [17] .
Table VII
AVERAGE P RICE PER WATT PEAK FOR THREE TYPES OF SOLAR P ANELS

Type of solar panel Price pe r watt peak

Monocrystalline 1.1$

Polycrystalline 1.06$

Amorphous 0.84$

Co mparing the three types of solar panels, let's consider a

small power station generating 10KW of electrical power.
Fig.17 Pe rformance of different types of solar panels in second section of The cost of the power station will vary fro m one location to
Egypt another due to the variation of the efficiency of the solar panel
with the variat ion of the amb ient temperature. Also the cost of [6]R.W. Collins, "Evolution of microstructure and phase in amorphous,
polycrystalline, and microcrystalline silicon studied by real time spectroscopic
the power station will vary according to the type of solar cell ellipsometry".El Sevier. 2003, vol.78, pp. 143-180.
used in that solar panel due to the price difference. Table VIII [7]A.Chouder, S. Silvestre , N.l Sadaoui, L. Rahmani,” M d d
shows a comparison between the costs of a 10 KW station simulation of a grid connected PV system based on the evaluation of main PV
built in each location previously mentioned in Egypt. m du m ”, v . 2012, pp 46-58.
[8] A.A. Ghoneim, K.M. Kandil, A.Y. Al-Hasan, M. S. Altouq, A.M. Al-
Table VIII asaad, L. M. m d . . m d ,” lysis of Performance
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE COSTS OF THE THREE TYPES OF SOLAR PANELS IN Parameters of Amorphous Photovoltaic Modules under Different
EACH LOCATION IN EGYP T v m C d ”, y d y.2011,
vol.1,no.1,pp.43-50.
Location Monocrystalline Polycrystalline Amorphous
[9] Pathak, M. J. M. and Pearce and J. M. Harrison, "Effects on amorphous
First silicon photovoltaic performance from high-temperature annealing pulses in
11490 $ 11978 $ 12222 $
location v m yb d d v ”. . ,N . , . –1207.
Second [10] A. H.H. Ali ,Y. Matsushitaa and S. Ookawara ,“P v M du
13100 $ 12400 $ 12600 $
location Thermal Regulation: Effect of the Cells Arrangement Configurations on the
Third P m ”, . J. mal & Environmental Engineering.2011,
15000 $ 14100 $ 12960 $
location vol.2,no.1,pp.41-47.
Fourth [11] E. skoplaki and j. palyvos , “O m u d d
17640 $ 16140 $ 13180 $
location photovoltaic module electrical performance:A review of efficiency/power
,” y.2009, vol.83,pp.614-624.
[12]S.R. Williams, R. Gottschalg d D.G. d, “P m
VIII. CONCLUSIONS v m du m m m m ” dW dC
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It can be concluded that no specific PV panel can be applied to [13] S. Ahmad, N. R. Mittal, A.B. Bhattacharya and M. Singh,” Simulation,
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(temperature, solar irradiance and dust density) that makes a Solar Cell Modules,” IEEE Conference on Industrial Electronics and
Applicationsis, T aichung, T aiwan. Jun.2010, pp.624-629.
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engineers to choose the suitable panels with least cost for radiation with meteorological parameters over Egypt ”,Renewable Energy.
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temperature of the location is 40 C or less the polycrystalline
would be better. The amorphous thin film type would be most
suitable for locations having average maximu m amb ient
temperature mo re than 40 C.

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