Semiconductors Used In Solar Panels

A semiconductor is a material that is conductive between the insulators and the conductors see band gap for a more extensive discussion of this.

Semiconductors used in solar panels.

The behaviour of a semiconductor depends on some environmental variables such as temperature or incident light intensity. Semiconductor solar cell knowledge is indispensable if you explain the operation of a photovoltaic cell. Connecting cells in parallel yields a higher current. Silicon is by far the most common material used in solar cells representing approximately 90 of the modules sold today.

When solar energy photons hits the solar cell electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the semiconductor material creating electron hole pairs. Multiple solar cells in an integrated group all oriented in one plane constitute a solar photovoltaic panel or module photovoltaic modules often have a sheet of glass on the sun facing side allowing light to pass while protecting the semiconductor wafers solar cells are usually connected in series creating additive voltage and current. Silicon atoms form a crystal lattice an organised structure that makes the conversion of light to electricity more effective and are doped with phosphorous and boron to form a semiconductor. It was first used in solar cells in 1956 and is considered a key material in solar energy production.

If electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides forming an electrical circuit the electrons are captured in the form of electric current called photocurrent iph. Because boron has one less electron than is required to form the bonds with the surrounding silicon atoms an electron vacancy or hole is created. Since the 1960s tin dioxide has found use in industrial applications including gas sensors and transparent electrodes for. Semiconductors are the basis of computer chips solar panels and more.

The p type silicon is produced by adding atoms such as boron or gallium that have one less electron in their outer energy level than does silicon.