Types of Photovoltaic Cell

There are several types of photovoltaic cells, each employing different materials and technologies to convert sunlight into electricity. The main types of photovoltaic cells include:

Silicon Photovoltaic Cell

Silicon photovoltaic cell, also referred to as a solar cell, is a device that transforms sunlight into electrical energy. It is made of semiconductor materials, mostly silicon, which in turn releases electrons to create an electric current when photons from sunshine are absorbed.

Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Monocrystalline cells are made from a single crystal structure, resulting in a high efficiency of solar energy conversion. These cells are known for their sleek appearance and high power output per square foot.

Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Polycrystalline cells are made from multiple crystal structures. While they are less efficient than monocrystalline cells, they are more cost-effective to produce. Polycrystalline solar panels often have a blue tint.

Thin-Film Solar Cells

Thin-film solar cells use layers of semiconductor materials that are only a few micrometers thick. Common materials include amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). Thin-film cells are lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective but generally have lower efficiency.

Multijunction Solar Cells

Multijunction solar cells consist of multiple layers of semiconductor materials stacked on top of each other. Each layer is designed to absorb a specific range of wavelengths of sunlight, increasing the overall efficiency. These cells are often used in concentrated photovoltaic systems.

Organic Photovoltaic Cells (OPVs)

Organic photovoltaic cells use organic (carbon-based) materials as the semiconductor. They are lightweight, flexible, and have the potential for low-cost manufacturing. However, their efficiency is currently lower compared to traditional solar cells.

Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells use a class of materials called perovskites, which have shown great promise due to their high efficiency and relatively simple fabrication process. Research in perovskite solar cells is ongoing to address issues such as stability and scalability.

Tandem Solar Cells

Tandem solar cells combine multiple solar cell technologies in a stacked configuration to enhance efficiency. For example, a tandem cell might combine silicon and perovskite layers to capture a broader range of the solar spectrum.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

Dye-sensitized solar cells use a layer of organic dye to absorb sunlight. The dye transfers its energy to semiconductor particles, generating electric current. DSSCs are known for their simplicity and potential for low-cost manufacturing.

Photovoltaic Cell is an electronic device that captures solar energy and transforms it into electrical energy. It is made up of a semiconductor layer that has been carefully processed to transform sun energy into electrical energy. The term “photovoltaic” originates from the combination of two words: “photo,” which comes from the Greek word “phos,” meaning light, and “voltaic,” which is derived from the name of Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist who invented the voltaic pile, a forerunner of the electric battery.

Get a deep insight into Photovoltaic cells in this article, by learning its basics such as definition, characteristics, construction, working, and applications.