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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell
Driven by Space Applications in
Early Days
How does it work
Each isolated atom has discrete energy level, with two electrons of
opposite spin occupying a state.
When atoms are brought into close contact, these energy levels split.
If there are a large number of atoms, the discrete energy levels form a
“continuous” band.
Energy Band Diagram of a Conductor,
Semiconductor, and Insulator
Si Si Si
Si Si Si
Si Si Si
-
Conducting band, Ec
Si Si Si Extra
Ed ~ 0.05 eV
Electron
Si As Eg = 1.1 eV
Si
Si Si - Si
Valence band, Ev
Doping silicon lattice with group V elements can creates extra electrons
in the conduction band — negative charge carriers (n-type), As- donor.
Doping concentration #/cm3 (1016/cm3 ~ 1/million).
Extrinsic Semiconductor, p-type doping
Conducting band, Ec
Si Si Si
Hole
Eg = 1.1 eV
Si B Si
Ea ~ 0.05 eV
Si -
Si Si Valence band, Ev
Electron
Doping silicon with group III elements can creates empty holes in the
conduction band — positive charge carriers (p-type), B-(acceptor).
p-n Junction (p-n diode)
p n
I
V
i R O F
depletion layer
p n p n
V<0 - + V>0 V>0 V<0
Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting materials
to create electron hole pairs.
Electrons (negatively charged) are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to
flow through the material to produce electricity.
The Impact of Band Gap on Efficiency
30
Fill Factor, FF = (VmpImp)/VocIsc
Current Density (mA/cm2)
20 Efficiency, = (VocIscFF)/Pin
hv > Eg
10
Dark
0
Voc
-10 FF
Jmp
-20 Jsc Vmp
Light
-30
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Voltage (volts)
Small Grain
Large Grain
and/or
Single
Polycrystalline
Crystals
Solids
d d
Long d Long d
High t Low t
High Cost Lower Cost
t decreases as grain size (and cost) decreases
Cost/Efficiency of Photovoltaic Technology
Space
Water Telecom
Pumping
Commercial Building
Systems (50 kW)
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/trends/highlight1.html
Top 10 PV Cell Producers
Motech - Taiwan
Production Cost of Electricity
25-50 ¢
25
(in the U.S. in 2002)
20
15
Cost
10 6-7
2.3-5.0 ¢ 6-8 5-7
1-4 ¢ ¢ ¢
5 ¢
0
Coal Gas Oil Wind Nuclear Solar
Future Generation
– Printable Cells
N
S n
n n H
glass
transparent electrode
-
- 100 nm
+
metal electrode
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell