Experimental study of silicon photovoltaic cells

Who invented silicon based photovoltaic cells?

The development of silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) cells began with the discovery of the photovoltaic effect by Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel in 1839.

Why do we need silicon solar cells for photovoltaics?

Photovoltaics provides a very clean, reliable and limitless means for meeting the ever-increasing global energy demand. Silicon solar cells have been the dominant driving force in photovoltaic technology for the past several decades due to the relative abundance and environmentally friendly nature of silicon.

When did silicon-based photovoltaic cells become more efficient?

In the 1980s and 1990s, the technology for manufacturing silicon-based photovoltaic cells (PV cells) underwent significant changes that increased their efficiency and reduced production costs.

How does silicon purification affect PV cells?

One of the most important improvements was the introduction of silicon purification techniques that resulted in a higher quality semiconductor material with fewer impurities, which had a direct impact on increasing the efficiency of PV cells.

How does temperature affect the efficiency of a photovoltaic cell?

The efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cells decreases with increasing temperature, which is due to the intrinsic physical properties of the semiconductors used in the cell. As the temperature rises, the kinetic energy of the charge carriers (electrons and holes) within the PV cell increases.

Can PV modules be recycled for silicon production?

Improvement of the efficiency of the furnace in terms of its design. The recycling of PV modules for silicon production can also contribute to reducing energy consumption and thus CO 2 emissions, depending on how much energy is required to process the recycled silicon material to the appropriate quality for wafers [2, 9].