The document summarizes the key aspects of solar cells, including: 1) How solar cells work by using semiconductor materials to create a p-n junction, which generates an electric field to separate light-generated electrons and holes; 2) The construction of solar cells into modules, which consists of layers of semiconductors sandwiched between materials and wired together; 3) The main types of solar cells are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film cells.

1. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Swami Keshvanand Institute of Technology, Management & Gramothan, Jaipur
Rajasthan Technical University
SUBMITTED BY: - SEMINAR SUPERVISOR: - SUBMITTED TO:-
VAIBHAV BIRLA Mr. ARUN BENIWAL Mr. ANKIT AGARWAL
14ESKME755 Mr. DINESH SHARMA
A
SEMINAR PRESENTATION
ON
SOLAR CELL : WORKING, CONSTRUCTION, TYPES &
PERFORMANCE

2. 1. What is a solar cell?
2. Working of solar cell
2.1 Physics of solar cell
2.2 Built in electric field
2.3 Breaking bond
2.4 Providing conducting path
3. Construction of solar module
3.1 Components of solar module
3.2 Procedure pf silicon wafer production
3.3 Manufacturing process of solar panel
4. Types of solar cell
5. Comparison of solar cell
6. Current obstacles
7. References
INDEX

3.  It is also known as Photovoltaic cell (PV cell)
 A device that converts light energy (solar energy) directly to electricity.
 The term solar cell is designated to capture energy from sunlight, whereas
PV cell is referred to an unspecified light source.
 It supplies DC power.
 The voltage supplied by the cell changes with changes in the radiation
from the sun.

4.  Semiconductor material can be p-type (hole carriers) or n-type
(electron carriers)
 N-type has impurities with an extra electron (phosphorus)
 P-type has impurities with one fewer electron (boron)
 Put them together: p-n junction
 A solar cell is a very large p-n junction (or diode)
n-type p-type
P+ B-

5.  The holes from the p-type side diffuse to the n-type side.
 The electrons diffuse to the p-type side.
 This leaves behind charged ions (missing electrons or holes).
n-type p-type
e
h
P+ B-

6.  The charged atoms (ions) create an electric field.
 This electric field makes it easy for current to flow in
one direction, but hard to flow in the opposite direction.
n-type p-type
P+
B-
P+ B-
P+ B-
E-field

7. n-type p-type
P+
B-
P+ B-
P+ B-
E-field
 Light breaks silicon bonds and creates “free” electrons and
holes “missing electrons”
 Holes are positive charges
 Built-in field separates electrons and holes
e h

8.  Connect diode to a circuit
 Photocurrent goes through resistor
 Causes a voltage drop
n-type p-type
P+
B-
P+ B-
P+ B-
E-field
e h
V=IR
`

10.  They are constructed by layering special materials called
semiconductors into thin, flat sandwiches.
 These are linked by electrical wires and arranged on a panel of a
stiff, non-conducting material such as glass. The panel itself is
called a module.
 Modules are then interconnected, in series or parallel, or both, to
create an array with the desired peak DC voltage and current.

12. CONTRUCTION CONTINUED…..

13. COMPONENTS OF SOLAR MODULE

16. MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF SOLAR MODULE

18. Based on the types of crystal used, soar cells can be classified as,
1. Monocrystalline silicon cell is produced from pure silicon (single crystal).
Since the Monocrystalline silicon is pure and defect free the efficiency of cell
will be higher.
2. Polycrystalline solar cell, liquid silicon is used as raw material and
polycrystalline silicon was obtained followed by solidification process. The
materials contain various crystalline sizes. Hence, the efficiency of this type of
cell is less than Monocrystalline cell.
3. Thinfilm silicon cell was obtained by depositing silicon film on the
substrate like glass plate.
TYPES OF SOLAR CELL

20. CURRENT OBSTACLES
Solar cell efficiencies vary from 6% for Thinfilm silicon-based solar
cells to 42.8% with multiple-junction research lab cells.
Low voltage are produced from single cell i.e. approx. 0.5V, that’s why
they need large area of land to produce more efficien power supply.
Very expensive, although silicon is second most abundant resource
found in earth’s crust.
It produces Direct Current, there is need of an inverter.
Excess temperature causes decrease in power output.

21. “Quantum Mechanics” by A.K Ghatak and S Lokanathan (Springer
science).
www.worldscibooks.com/physics/p276.html.
"Solar Electricity“ by T. Markvart, (Wiley).
“Non-conventional energy resources” by N.K
Bansal(Vikas)
“Renewable Energy” by Godfrey Boyle, (Oxford)