Study of the Efficiency of Different Types of Solar Cells

Abstract

Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, have been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar energy technologies include solar heating, solar photovoltaics, concentrated solar power and solar architecture, which can make considerable contributions to solving some of the most urgent problems the world now faces. The International Energy Agency projected that solar power could provide "a third of the global final energy demand after 2060, while CO2 emissions would be reduced to very low levels." Nowadays the world energy demands around500 exajoule. In 2050, the demand will be around 1000 exajoule. From fossil fuel we may have got almost 85%. Rest of the world demand may be mitigated from alternative energy sources like Solar, Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Biomass, Geothermal, and even the wind and hydropower. Most of the power generated nowadays is produced using fossil fuels, which emit tons of carbon dioxide and other pollution every second. More importantly, fossil fuel will eventually run out. In order to make the development of our civilization sustainable people are looking for new source of substitute clean energy. Of them solar energy is the potential alternative cause less harm to our environment, carbon emission in the environment is zero, low initial cost, solar systems performance more efficient, economical and stable. Moreover, solar cells are a promising renewable, carbon-free electric energy resource to address the fossil fuel shortage and global warming. In this work,we tried to make a brief review and present status of solar cell conversion efficiency, material usually used for fabrication and different solar cell technology on the most promising routes to realize cheap and efficient solar cells. It is found that the a:Si solar cells have a highest efficiency of approximately 25% in laboratory and 15% in industry, compound semiconductor solar cells have an efficiency of 28.8% (GaAs) and thin film solar cells have an efficiency of 19.6% (CdTe), and HIT solar cells have an efficiency of 22.3%.