Polysilicon

Polysilicon, or polycrystalline silicon, is a highly purified form of silicon made up of many small crystal structures. It is a key raw material used to manufacture most solar cells and is also used in the semiconductor industry.

For solar manufacturing, polysilicon is melted and formed into solid blocks called ingots. These are sliced into thin sheets called wafers, which are processed into solar cells. The cells are then assembled into solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity.

Producing polysilicon requires substantial energy and chemical processing. Its price and availability affect manufacturing costs throughout the solar supply chain.