How Do You Make A Solar Cell?

Solar Cells convert light energy into electricity at the atomic level. For many years, the process of producing electricity through sun wasn't really understood, but throughout the 20th century the science has been refined and process has been more fully explained. As a result the cost of these devices has put them into the mainstream of modem energy producers. This was caused in part by advances in technology, where Photovoltaic solar cell's conversion efficiencies have been improved. The most important parts of a solar cell are the semiconductor layers, this is where the electron current is created. There are a number of different materials available for making these semiconducting layers, and each has benefits and drawbacks. Unfortunately, there is no one ideal material for all types of cells and applications. In addition to the semiconducting materials, solar cells consist of a top metallic grid or other electrical contact to collect electrons from the semiconductor and transfer ...  more