Solar Cell Materials

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 them to the external load, and a back
contact layer to complete the electrical circuit.
Then, on top of the complete cell is typically a glass
cover or other type of transparent encapsulant to
seal the cell and keep weather out, and a antireflective
coating to keep the cell from reflecting the
light back away from the cell. A typical solar cell
consists of a cover glass, a anti-reflective layer, a
front contact to allow the electrons to enter a circuit
and a back contact to allow them to complete the
circuit, and the semiconductor layers where the
electrons begin to complete there voyages!