What is the device structure of a silicon solar cell?

The device structure of a silicon solar cell is based on the concept of a p-n junction, for which dopant atoms such as phosphorus and boron are introduced into intrinsic silicon for preparing n- or p-type silicon, respectively. A simplified schematic cross-section of a commercial mono-crystalline silicon solar cell is shown in Fig. 2.

How are silicon solar cells formed?

Individual silicon solar cells are formed into modules by connecting them in series and parallel. These modules are subsequently encapsulated to protect them from natural elements before they are deployed. Thin film cells can be much larger than silicon cells, and one thin film cell may form a single module.

How are Si-based solar cells made?

Several stages that are utilized in the production of Si-based solar cells are covered in detail, from sand reduction to solar cell fabrication.

Why is silicon the dominant solar cell manufacturing material?

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Policies and ethics Silicon (Si) is the dominant solar cell manufacturing material because it is the second most plentiful material on earth (28%), it provides material stability, and it has well-developed industrial production and solar cell fabrication technologies.

How much electricity does a silicon solar cell use?

All silicon solar cells require extremely pure silicon. The manufacture of pure silicon is both expensive and energy intensive. The traditional method of production required 90 kWh of electricity for each kilogram of silicon. Newer methods have been able to reduce this to 15 kWh/kg.

How long does it take to make a silicon solar cell?

The traditional method of production required 90 kWh of electricity for each kilogram of silicon. Newer methods have been able to reduce this to 15 kWh/kg. This still means that, depending upon its efficiency and the location of the device, a silicon solar cell can take up to 2 years to generate the energy used to make it.