Type of Material
To generate electricity from sunlight, solar panels contain a layer of semiconductor material. This material is typically silicon (Si) that has been “doped” with a small amount of another substance. Depending on the type of doping, this creates either a positive (P-type) or negative (N-type) charge. Both types can generate electricity from sunlight—so why is one considered better than the other?
Silicon (left) doped with phosphorus (middle) creates a negative charge (N-type), while doping with boron (right) results in a positive charge (P-type).
Decrease in the efficiency of different solar cells due to LID (Light Induced Degradation).
Light Induced Degradation (LID)
The key difference lies in a phenomenon known as Light Induced Degradation (LID). You may already be familiar with PID (Potential Induced Degradation), but LID is another way solar cells can lose efficiency over time. Solar cells made from N-type silicon experience significantly less LID compared to P-type silicon cells. The difference can amount to a few percentage points, which translates into a considerable difference in energy output over a solar panel’s lifetime.
N-type is Better
While N-type panels are generally regarded as superior due to their resistance to LID, they still make up a minority of the solar panel market. The main reason? Cost. N-type cells are more expensive to manufacture and the process is a bit more complex. However, brands like SunPower have used N-type technology to set themselves apart, offering not just superior performance but also a long-lasting solution for their customers.
The Rise of N-type Panels
Thanks to recent technological advancements, the production of N-type solar panels is increasing, with a notable surge in manufacturing in countries like China. This means that more consumers will soon benefit from higher efficiency, while competition in the solar market continues to grow.
The global market share of N-type solar panels is expected to continue growing.
