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A solar cell
is a device that
converts the energy of
sunlight directly into
electricity by the
photovoltaic effect.
Sometimes the term
solar cell is
reserved for devices
intended specifically to
capture energy from
sunlight, while the term
photovoltaic cell
is used when the light
source is unspecified.
Assemblies of cells are
used to make
solar panels,
solar modules, or
photovoltaic arrays.
Photovoltaics is
the field of technology
and research related to
the application of solar
cells in producing
electricity for
practical use. The
energy generated this
way is an example of
solar energy
(also called
solar power).
Three generations of solar cells
Solar
Cells
are
classified
into
three
generations
which
indicates
the
order of
which
each
became
important.
First generation cells consist of large-area, high quality and single junction devices. First generation technologies involve high energy and labor inputs which prevent any significant progress in reducing production costs. Single junction silicon devices are approaching the theoretical limiting efficiency of 31% and achieve an energy payback period of 5–7 years. Second generation
Thin-film
cell
Second generation materials have been developed to address energy requirements and production costs of solar cells. Alternative manufacturing techniques such as solution deposition , vapour deposition, electroplating, and use of Ultrasonic Nozzles are advantageous as they reduce high temperature processing significantly. It is commonly accepted that as manufacturing techniques evolve production costs will be dominated by constituent material requirements, whether this be a silicon substrate, or glass cover. The most successful second generation materials have been cadmium telluride , copper indium gallium selenide, amorphous silicon and micromorphous silicon. These materials are applied in a thin film to a supporting substrate such as glass or ceramics, reducing material mass and therefore costs. These technologies do hold promise of higher conversion efficiencies. Third generation
Third
generation
solar
cell
Third generation technologies aim to enhance poor electrical performance of second generation (thin-film technologies) while maintaining very low production costs. Current research is targeting conversion efficiencies of 30-60% while retaining low cost materials and manufacturing techniques. There are a few approaches to achieving these high efficiencies including the use of multijunction photovoltaic cells, concentration of the incident spectrum, the use of thermal generation by UV light to enhance voltage or carrier collection, or the use of the infrared spectrum for night-time operation.
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