Production of mono-crystalline silicon

A method for producing crystalline silicon for use in photovoltaic cells, the method comprising:

• providing a crystalline silicon seed layer in a crucible, wherein a periphery of the silicon seed layer defines a seed layer peripheral surface facing an inner wall of the crucible, the periphery of the seed layer comprising at least one peripheral seed tile;
• providing silicon feedstock above the seed layer;
• melting the silicon feedstock and an upper part of the seed layer, thereby creating molten silicon within the crucible;
• directionally solidifying the molten silicon to form a silicon ingot;
• wherein
• each of the peripheral seed tiles is arranged such that the peripheral seed tile comprises a first {110} crystallographic plane aligned substantially parallel to an adjacent face of the inner wall of the crucible and a second {110} crystallographic plane substantially normal to a direction of solidification of the molten silicon.