Solar cells

Solar Cell

Type	Photovoltaic cell
Inventor
Inception
Manufacturer
Available
Discontinued
Website	[ Official website]
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A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, which is a physical and chemical phenomenon. It is a form of photoelectric cell, defined as a device whose electrical characteristics, such as current, voltage, or resistance, vary when exposed to light. Individual solar cell devices can be combined to form modules, commonly known as solar panels. The common single junction silicon solar cell can produce a maximum open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 volts.

History

Solar cells were first used in a prominent application when they were proposed and flown on the Vanguard satellite in 1958, as an alternative power source to the primary battery power source. By adding cells to the outside of the body, the mission managed to extend its life by a year. Solar cells were first manufactured commercially in 1954 by Bell Laboratories.

Technology

Solar cells are typically named after the semiconducting material they are made of. These materials must have certain characteristics in order to absorb sunlight. Some cells are designed to handle sunlight that reaches the Earth's surface, while others are optimized for use in space. Solar cells can be made of only one single layer of light-absorbing material (single-junction) or use multiple physical configurations (multi-junctions) to take advantage of various absorption and charge separation mechanisms.

Types of Solar Cells

• Monocrystalline Silicon Cells
• Polycrystalline Silicon Cells
• Thin-Film Solar Cells
• Perovskite Solar Cells
• Organic Photovoltaic Cells

Applications

Solar cells are used in various applications including:

• Solar power plants
• Satellites
• Calculators
• Solar-powered watches
• Solar-powered cars
• Solar street lighting

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Renewable energy source
• Reduces electricity bills
• Low maintenance costs
• Technology development

Disadvantages

• Weather dependent
• Solar energy storage is expensive
• Uses a lot of space
• Associated with pollution

Future Directions

Research is ongoing with the aim of developing higher efficiency solar cells, reducing production costs, and finding materials that offer improved photovoltaic properties. Advanced technologies, such as using quantum dots or the development of perovskite solar cells, are among the promising directions in solar cell research.

See Also

• Renewable energy
• Sustainable energy
• Energy conversion efficiency
• Photoelectric effect