The document discusses the history, types, structure, and working of solar cells. It covers: - The photovoltaic effect was first discovered in 1839 by Edmond Becquerel. - The main types of solar cells are amorphous silicon, concentrated photovoltaic, and crystalline silicon. - A solar cell uses sunlight to generate electricity, requiring the absorption of light to raise electrons to a higher energy state and the movement of electrons through an external circuit. - Research areas include nanocrystalline solar cells, thin film processing, and multijunction solar cells to improve performance and lower costs.

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2. Contents....
Definition …explanation
………..1
History
…………………………..2
Types of solar
cell…….………….3
Structure of solar
cell.……………4
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3. History of solar cell
1839: Photovoltaic Effect Is
Discovered. French
scientist Edmond Becquerel
first discovered the
photovoltaic effect in 1839.
This process occurs when
light is absorbed by a
material and creates
electrical voltage. Most
modern solar cells use
silicon crystals to attain this
effect.
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4. Types of solar cell
•Amorphous Silicon solar cell (a-
Si)
•Concentrated PV cell (CVP and
HCVP)
•Crystalline silicon solar cell (c-
Si)
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5. Structure of solar cell
A solar cell is an electronic
device which directly converts
sunlight into electricity. Light
shining on the solar cell produces
both a current and a voltage to
generate electric power. This
process requires firstly, a material
in which the absorption of light
raises an electron to a higher
energy state, and secondly, the
movement of this higher energy
electron from the solar cell into
an external circuit. The electron
then dissipates its energy in the
external circuit and returns to the
solar cell.
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6. Working of solar cell
The main part of a silicon (Si) solar cell generating solarpower is formed
by two differently doped (n- and p-) silicon layers. A physical barrier is
created between them along the p-/n- junction, with electrons and holes
diffusing into regions of lower concentration.
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7. Research in solar cell
 Nanocryatalline solar cell:
These structures make use of some of the same thin-film light absorbing
materials but are overlain as an extremely thin absorber on a supporting
matrix of conductive polymer or mesoporous metal oxide having a very
high surface area to increase internal reflections
• Thin film processing:
Thin-film photovoltaic cells can use less than 1% of the expensive raw
material (silicon or other light absorbers) compared to wafer-based
solar cells, leading to a significant price drop per Watt peak capacity
• Multijunction solar cell
It represents a new class of solar cells with clear advantages in
performance, engineering design, operation and cost. Their
performance and cost effectiveness is constrained by growing the cells
in an upright configuration
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8. Advantages & disadvantages
 Advantages
1…It uses renewable energy
source.
2…It produce electricity which
does not cause pollution.
3…It can be use in remote areas.
4…Reduce consumption of
fossil fuels in the production
of electricity.
5…Reduce production of green
house gases as CO2.
 Disadvantages
1…It uses a special grade of
silicon which is expensive.
2…Current produce in the form
on DC.
3…silver is use in the production
which is expensive metal.
4…Interfere with natural flow of
water.
5… Requires maintenance .
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