Solar Cell Technology And How It’s Affecting The Cost




Solar technology involves the conversion of heat and light from the Sun into solar energy either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or passively by Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).

Solar technologies have evolved over the years and the solar energy is currently the most popular source of electricity mainly because it is a cheaper, pollution-free and renewable form of energy.

Even though, an extensive range of materials is being utilized in solar cell technology, silicon, and its various types are rated as the most dependable and inexpensive solar cell semiconductor material. Even after significant advances, material used in the first-generation technology like silicon continues to be part of the manufacturing methods of solar power systems for residences as well as businesses.

This is because silicon is not only available in abundance but also very efficient in solar power equipment. It will be, therefore, quite inexpensive and does not involve any wastage when changing from grid power supply to solar energy. Obviously, there have been tremendous developments in commercial solar technologies since the time when the thickness of ‘silicon wafers’ was double that of the latest versions.

In addition, they were quite inefficient as the energy utilized in the production of a cell was sometimes much higher than the energy generated by the cell during its life-span. There are a few thin-film solar cells (second-generation technology), which can last for about 30 years and costs can be recovered within a year.

The silicon utilized in solar cell these days is not in unadulterated crystalline form as silicon in its purified form is a poor conductor of electricity. That is the reason why silicon is mixed with a few impurities to make it effective in capturing sunlight to convert into solar power. It is very essential that electrons move about freely in the medium; however, crystalline silicon restricts free circulation of electrons.

Proper circulation of electrons is facilitated by blending silicon with phosphorous and once silicon medium becomes a good conductor of electricity, electrical energy is generated. While silicon mixed with phosphorous is known as N-type silicon and has a negative charge, silicon blended with boron is called P-type silicon and has a positive charge. N-type electrons are always attracted by P-type silicon.

For efficient solar power generation, it is necessary to choose the best silicon solar panel. The first generation silicon cells are wafer-thin cells where the silicon is cut into fine wafers and placed on top of each other. ‘Single junction cells’ consist of N- and P-type silicon that generate electric power between them. These types are the most conventional variety of solar cells and are normally firm and big.

The more advanced solar cell technology uses thin-film solar cells and therefore, is less unwieldy and rated as highly efficient in solar power generation, except that they are made adopting entirely different technology. In other words, the semiconductor material utilized is much thinner strips than found in the usual ‘wafer technology.’



This technology uses Vapor Deposition method, considered as among the most effective techniques, for laying the material on a ‘substrate’. Silicon used in this technique is of different variety, for example amorphous silicon, as it does not maintain its crystalline form, or micromorphous silicon, which is a mix of both microcrystalline and amorphous silicon.

Microcrystalline silicon can absorb a more expansive range of light and the blend with amorphous transforms it into exceptionally elastic material. With this, it becomes simpler to develop cells in large numbers, thereby bringing down manufacturing costs substantially. Even more advanced solar cell appears to shift away from the reliance on silicon as its semiconductor material, with multi-junction solar cells poised to become the major category.

Nevertheless, as of now this third –generation technology is very expensive and therefore, not a viable alternative commercially. While the Germanium layers and Gallium arsenide layers are considered feasible, the third layer of Indium Phosphide is still under developmental stage. In any case, the price is too exorbitant to be considered in solar cells.

While advances in solar cell technology and the development of silicon solar cells are in the exclusive domain of scientists, what is important for the common man is the price and efficacy. In practical terms, silicon solar cells will continue to be the main choice in the market and with efficiency factor increasing to about 15%, one can save substantial amount by shifting to solar energy.

Different Alternative Sources Of Energy We Can Harness




As we all know, the Sun is the single greatest source of power, heat and energy to the earth. With a surface temperature of 27 million degree Celsius. The radiation emitted by the Sun spreads to a wide range and a part of that radiation falls on the earth that rotates around the Sun.

All the radiations do not reach the surface of the earth; the solar power that we receive at the equator point is calculated to be 800W/m2. The solar radiation has the infrared frequencies that provide heat and visible radiations that provide the light.

Large power stations and the communities in isolated areas make use of this solar energy by setting up photovoltaic cell – assemblies and panels for creating energy. In large power plants like thermal stations, the heat for industrial purpose is supplemented by installing very large solar concentrators.

The energy that we derive this way from the Sun is inexhaustible and is totally pollution-free unlike what we get from other sources.

Wind Power As Renewable Energy Source

From the very early days, our forefathers have been depending on windmills for pumping water for irrigation and other purposes and also for grinding grains. Windmill energy is considered as cheapest forms of energy that we now exploit from nature.

The usage of wind energy is widely in use in countries like Holland, the three bladed windmills produce electricity through the turbines connected to generators. Normally they are to be installed in large numbers in a vast area.

The ideal locations for windmills are mostly the remote localities farther from cities and industries. The wind is formed in the nature when the heat from the sun passes through the uneven atmosphere of the earth. Wind is a potential source of renewable energy, when we exploit it properly.

Tidal Power As Renewable Energy Source

As we all know, the tidal waves are formed in the oceans, when the gravitational forces act between the Earth, Sun and the Moon while the earth rotates. When the gravitational forces from these planets act on waters in the oceans, a large volume of water moves in and out of estuaries forming tides which can be converted into energy.



Even in the old days the people of Europe and USA had used tide mills for various purposes. Unlike the solar and wind energy, the tidal energy is predictable and very much dependable. This is a source from which plenty of energy can be generated by tying up with large power systems.

A large number of power plants are operated in several parts of the world by taming tidal power with the advanced technological potentials. It is a recognized fact that the tidal power is a form of unpolluted and inexhaustible renewable energy, with vast potentials for generating the electricity.

Biomass As Renewable Energy

Another potential source of energy is the energy derivable by burning the biomass. The solar energy is stored in the form of carbohydrates in bio mass. It can also be converted into bio fuel and combustible gases. Many natural plants are suitable for this purpose. However during this process, the problem of release of carbon dioxide to the nature may arise.

For large scale production of bio mass several precautions are necessary, as we will have to compromise with our farmlands that produce food crops.

The Evolution Of Solar Technology & Its Application




Most people are by now aware that electricity can be generated without using depleting conventional oil reserves. Increasing number of people is also familiar about the harmful effects of fossil-fuel that pollutes the environment leading to global warming and consequent climate change.

There have been concerted efforts by scientists to find alternative sources of power that is not only eco-friendly but also a renewable form of energy. This has resulted in the development of several technologies harnessing sunlight or making use of solar and wind energy.

Solar energy is gaining wider recognition in recent times as it is much cheaper than the traditional electric power supplied by the grid. Solar energy is the conversion of heat or light from the sun either directly with the help of photovoltaic cells (PV) or indirectly by focusing large areas of sunlight into small beams using mirrors or various tracking equipment.

Solar technologies have evolved over the years; with the result the solar panels manufactured at present have become more affordable for people to install them at homes or offices. While some places in the world are ideal for conversion of sunlight into electricity, there are others that are not so suitable.

The generation of solar power using solar panels is not the only solar technology available for harnessing sunlight to produce electricity. Many other unique solar technologies have been developed to tap sunshine for power generation. Scientists have been constantly exploring various possibilities to develop advanced solar technologies that are designed to produce solar equipment that can not only generate cost-effective solar energy but also are more environmentally friendly.

Many solar technologies have been developed by scientists across the world through sheer dedication and hard work. Any of these technologies can be adopted to produce solar power systems. Most of them are inexpensive solutions and the solar systems can be manufactured on a commercial scale. With the result, the solar energy generated is much cheaper than the traditional form of electricity.

Architecture and science have integrated together to develop groundbreaking techniques to generate solar energy that can be utilized for lighting, heating and air conditioning, besides for various purposes in agriculture sector. With the rapid pace of technological developments, soon construction companies for residences, office buildings, apartment buildings and many more will implement new techniques of designs that will customize solar technology.

While developing new solar technologies, there should be a great emphasis on pollution-free, clean electric power. Several new homes have been constructed considering several factors such as durability, economy and appeal without the need to utilize fuel or conventional electrical energy and basing their designs to capture only sunlight and heat from the sun to generate electrical energy.



Naturally available materials used collectively with renewable energy sources, such as the solar power from the sun and geothermal conditions of the earth can be effectively utilized to generate stable energy for homes and all other places.

Photosynthesis and geothermal technologies have become much more potent techniques that people never visualized before as feasible options. Solar energy is much cheaper, pollution-free and renewable form of energy than the electricity generated from petroleum products or coal. People can save considerable amount of money by using solar power in their homes instead of depending on the costly electricity supply from the power generating companies.

Those installing solar power systems at their homes will save a lot of money on electricity besides contributing their bit to the ecology. There is a lot of scope for further development of solar technologies and if these efforts succeed, people can get much more efficient and cheaper solar power systems for their homes.