Solar Cells: In Research and Applications—A Review (original) (raw)

Overview on Different Types of Solar Cells: An Update

Applied Sciences

Solar energy is free from noise and environmental pollution. It could be used to replace non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels, which are in limited supply and have negative environmental impacts. The first generation of solar cells was made from crystalline silicon. They were relatively efficient, however very expensive because they require a lot of energy to purify the silicon. Nowadays, the production of solar cells has been improved since the first generation (thin-film solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells, and organic solar cells). In this work, the development of solar cells was discussed. The advantages, limitations, challenges, and future trends of these solar cells were also reported. Lastly, this article emphasized the various practices to promote solar energy and highlighted the power conversion efficiency of the fabricated devices.

Photovoltaic solar cells: An overview of state-of-the-art cell development and environmental issues

… in crystal growth and characterization of …, 2005

This paper gives an overview of the materials and methods used for fabricating photovoltaic solar cell devices. The technologies discussed include those based on the use of silicon (in the crystalline, multicrystalline, amorphous and micro-crystalline forms), the IIIeV compounds (e.g. gallium arsenide, indium phosphide and gallium antimonide), the polycrystalline compounds (e.g. cadmium telluride, copper gallium indium diselenide and copper indium disulphide), and organic materials (e.g. dyes, polymers and fullerenes). The paper also discusses the important environmental and energy issues with regard to the manufacture, use and disposal of the solar cells and modules.

Photovoltaic-A Review of the solar cell Generation

This report centers on the past, present and the future directions of the solar cell and module technologies. The merits and demerits of the single-crystal, polycrystalline and amorphous technologies are discussed. The dye sensitized solar cell technologies (DSSC) are highlighted as the emerging, low cost alternatives for power generation. Their basic operating principles and the governing factors of the solar device performance are discussed. The performance and stability of the DSSC module is highlighted and their outlook towards commercialization is also described at the end.

An introduction to solar cell technology

Istrazivanja i projektovanja za privredu, 2016

Solar cells are a promising and potentially important technology and are the future of sustainable energy for the human civilization. This article describes the latest information achievement in the field of solar cells [Solar cell efficiency tables (version 48) containing the latest efficiency of different types of solar cells published on July 2016. The article also contains data related to the worlds' energy and particularly that part which related to the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. On the basis of these data prospects of solar energy for human and the possible ways of implementing the latest advanced Photovoltaic technology are defined. Also, methods of conversion of solar energy into electricity, working principles and materials used for various types of photovoltaic technology, as well as the global solar market, present cost of solar energy and roadmap of solar energy is presented in this paper. Imagine solar cells installed in cars to absorb solar energy to replace the traditional use of diesel and gas. Using the same principle, cell phones can also be charged by solar energy. There are such a wide variety of applications.

Comparison of Different types of Solar Cells – a Review

This paper deals with the various concepts of solar cells which include crystalline silicon solar cells, thin film plasmonic solar cells and dye sensitized solar cells. The scattering from metal nano particles near their localized Plasmon resonance is a promising way of increasing the light absorption in thin-film solar cells. Dye-sensitized solar cells have the potential of high commercial appeal, low cost investments, and high-efficiency conversion.

Solar Cells Technology: An Engine for National Development

An overview of the available solar cells was discussed in this work. These include how solar cells work starting from the electronic properties of semiconductor, the overall structure of the cell and explanation on how it produces electricity. Discussion on the price fall of a solar cell material (silicon), the price fall of the cell and the price fall of the module. Various applications were mentioned together with power losses which occur during operation(recombination loss, losses dependent on the structure of the device, and loss as a result of the inability of the semiconductor to absorb the below band gap light . Measures on how to reduce the power losses was discussed. Also the most important effect that must be allowed for operation under standard conditions was discussed.

Solar Photovoltaic Cell: History, Working Principle and Landscape

The definition of photovoltaic is derived from the word "photo" with the Greek meaning light and "voltaic" meaning voltage. A photovoltaic (PV) cell or solar cell, is a nonmechanical device that instantly converts sunlight directly into electricity. A historical development in chronological order since its discovery in 1839, is described in six phases from inception to full commercialization today. The semiconductor physics of solar cells in light of molecular orbital (MO) theory, energy band gap, electrical conducting properties, crystal structure and p-n junction highlight the inner mechanism of conversion of solar light into electricity. Stage wise construction of solar cells and then modules are explained for the commercially available panels in the market. The I-V characteristics in context with efficiency, power output, fill factor, impact of radiation and effect of temperature gives an insight into its field performance. Description of different types of monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous solar cells gives an idea of suitability of different cell materials in the wake of long-term use. Recent research has prompted the development of potential emerging technologies of solar cells. Some of them are on the verge of commercialization. It is interesting to note the SPV technology landscape worldwide that explains technology wise, country wise and year wise installations of solar power projects. To maintain uniformity of quality, international IEC standards have been formed. Finally, recent advances in solar modules have been briefly explained for different kinds of applications.

Materials Research and Opportunities in Solar (Photovoltaic) Cells

Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 2015

The progress of solar (photovoltaic) cells over the years is reported here. The selection and engineering of materials that have been used in the first to the fourth generation solar cells present salient features on why such newer materials were or would be introduced are discussed. Our perspectives to look beyond silicon as solar cell materials are presented. The issues of toxicity and earth-abundance of elements in forming active materials of solar cells are discussed. Measurement parameters, methods to improve performance, and mechanism of operation of different solar cells have also been discussed.

A Review on Solar Photovoltaic Technology and Its Future Trends

International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research

A source of radiant energy is the Sun. Only a small part of the energy we receive from the Sun is actually used by us. Sunshine that reaches the surface of the Earth has the capacity to meet all of our rising energy needs. The process of converting incident sunlight energy into electrical energy is known as solar photovoltaic technology. The original generation of solar cells were made of silicon. Further advancements are required, according to research, for solar cells to operate more efficiently and to absorb large amounts of incident sunlight. To achieve these requirements, amorphous Silicon sola r cells and thin film technology were further developed. From first-generation solar cells to dye-sensitized solar cells, quantum dot solar cells, and some more current technologies, we have examined a gradual progression in solar cell technology in this review. The potential for these many generations of solar cell technologies to establish themselves is also discussed in this article. ...