How does PV cell works?
- PV effect which is directly convert light(photons) energy into electric energy(DC voltage) by using semiconductor materials.
- PV cell is also known as solar cell.A solar cell consist of P type( silicon-boron) layer and N type(silicon-phosporous) layer.
- When sunlight(photons) strikes solar cell ,it breaks PN junction and generates DC voltage.
Applicable semiconductor materials:
- Silicon(Si)
- Gallium Arsenide(GaAs)
- Cadmium Telluride(CdTe)
- Copper Indium Diselenide(CIS)
- Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon
Types of Solar cells:
Crystalline silicon:
- The majority of PV cells produced by using Crystalline silicon as it is a light absorbing semiconductor.11% to 16% efficiency.
Mono crystalline-it is made from single crystal of pure silicon.it can be easily recognize by uniform looking and cell corner is missing.it is superior than poly crystalline due to high efficiency(perform 10% more than poly crystalline.mono crystalline efficient per area.it is potential upto 50 years longevity.
Poly crystalline-it is made from multi crystalline silicon.these are inconsistencies in color and sort of granite.cells are in square.Less efficiency compare to mono type and requires more area to get same power of mono crystalline.only go up to 25 years.
Thin-Film:Thin film solar technology is thinner and flexible.Thin film solar panels only reach 6% to 11% efficiency and expensive so less peoples only used.
| Technology | Maximum Demonstrated Efficiency for small cells* | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| a-Si | 12.2% | Mature manufacturing technology | Low efficiency High equipment costs |
| CdTe | 16.5% | Low-cost manufacturing | Medium efficiency Rigid glass substrate |
| CIGS | 19.9% | High efficiency Glass or flexible substrates |
Film uniformity challenge on large substrates Costly traditional processes |
