The primary benefit researchers gained by developing solar cells from polycrystalline silicon instead of monocrystalline silicon is cost reduction. Polycrystalline silicon solar cells are generally less expensive to manufacture than monocrystalline silicon solar cells because the production process for polycrystalline silicon is simpler and requires less energy.
Monocrystalline solar cells are made from a single, continuous crystal structure, which requires a more complex and energy-intensive manufacturing process, leading to higher production costs. In contrast, polycrystalline solar cells are made from melted silicon that is allowed to solidify into multiple crystals. This process not only reduces costs but also enables faster production, making solar technology more accessible and facilitating its widespread adoption.
While polycrystalline silicon solar cells may have slightly lower efficiency compared to their monocrystalline counterparts, the trade-off in terms of affordability has made them a popular choice in the solar market, contributing significantly to the overall growth and development of solar energy technologies.