Photovoltaic cell: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:24, 8 June 2004

Revision as of 12:27, 8 June 2004

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* amorphous cells

'''Monocrystalline cells''' are the most expensive to make because they require very pure [[siliciumsilicon]] and involve a complicated crystal growth process. They also have the highest [[energy efficiency]] of the three: around 16%.

'''Polycrystalline cells''' are less expensive because the cells are not grown in single crystals but in a large block that is then sawn into cells. Their energy efficiency is around 15%.

'''Amorphous cells''' are not crystals, but a thin layer of siliciumsilicon vaporised on a cheap base such as glass. They are relatively cheap, but their energy efficiency is only around 8%. When light is diffuse, the difference in efficiency compared to the other types becomes smaller. This type of cell is typically used as a coating for windows, and on facades.

== Development ==

Much research is currently going into photovoltaic cells. The main focus is making them cheaper and more efficient, so they can replace [[fossil energy]] better. This mostly means development of cheaper methods of obtaining siliumsilicon that is sufficiently pure. SiliciumSilicon is a very common element, but is normally bound in [[quartzglass sand]].

The invention of [[conductive plastics]] that [[Alan Heeger]] got a [[Nobel prize]] for might lead to cells that can make do without siliciumsilicon and might be much cheaper than current ones.

In [[2004]], the [[Fraunhofer Institute]] reported they had created a particularly small cell with an energy efficiency of over 20%.