Efficiency Of Thin Film Solar Cells

In summary, the efficiency of a Thin Film solar cell is typically lower compared to a single crystal solar cell due to increased recombination caused by grain boundaries and potential manufacturing defects reducing the shunt resistance. However, the other parameters such as Iopt, Is, and n may remain unchanged depending on the specific chemistry used for the thin film cell. For further information, a comparative study of the attributes of thin film and crystalline photovoltaic cells can be found in the VSRD International Journal of Mechanical, Civil, Automobile and Production Engineering.
  • #1
KillaKem
23
0
How does the efficiency of a Thin Film solar cell compare to the efficiency of a single crystal solar cell with reference to the 5 main solar cell parameters ( Iopt , Rs, Rsh, Is and n )?

I know series resistance( Rs ) will probably increase in thin film cells because of grain boundaries which will cause increased recombination and I think the shunt resistance will probably reduce because there are many layers to be deposited in a thin film so there is increased risk of manufacturing defects, is this right?

How are the other parameters affected? Do they remain unchanged?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
There are several chemistries for thin film solar. So you can't ask those questions without specifying which.

But this reference may help you.

Sahay, Amit; Sethi, V.K.; Tiwari, A.C. (July 7, 2013). "A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ATTRIBUTES OF THIN FILM AND CRYSTALLINE PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS". assets.fiercemarkets.com/. VSRD International Journal of Mechanical, Civil, Automobile and Production Engineering, Vol. 3 No. July 7, 2013 / 267, VSRD International Journals: www.vsrdjournals.com. pp. 3–4. Archived from http://assets.fiercemarkets.com/public/sites/energy/reports/pvthinfilmreport.pdf (PDF) on September 20, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014. e-ISSN 2249-8303, p-ISSN 2319-2208
 

Related to Efficiency Of Thin Film Solar Cells

1. What are thin film solar cells?

Thin film solar cells are photovoltaic cells that are made by depositing thin layers of semiconductor materials onto a substrate. These cells are generally less than 1 micrometer thick and are much lighter and more flexible than traditional silicon solar cells.

2. How do thin film solar cells work?

Thin film solar cells work by converting sunlight into electricity using the photovoltaic effect. When sunlight hits the semiconductor material in the cell, it causes electrons to flow, creating an electric current. This current can then be captured and used as electricity.

3. What are the advantages of thin film solar cells?

There are several advantages to using thin film solar cells. They are lightweight and flexible, making them easier to install on a variety of surfaces. They also require less material to produce, making them more cost-effective. Additionally, they are more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity in low light conditions.

4. What is the efficiency of thin film solar cells compared to traditional solar cells?

The efficiency of thin film solar cells varies depending on the specific materials and manufacturing processes used. However, in general, thin film solar cells have a lower efficiency compared to traditional silicon solar cells. The average efficiency of thin film solar cells is around 10-12%, while traditional solar cells can have an efficiency of 15-20%.

5. How can the efficiency of thin film solar cells be improved?

Researchers are constantly working on improving the efficiency of thin film solar cells. Some ways to improve efficiency include using new and more efficient materials, optimizing the manufacturing process, and incorporating new technologies such as tandem cells. Additionally, advancements in nanotechnology are also being explored to potentially increase the efficiency of thin film solar cells in the future.

Similar threads

  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Materials and Chemical Engineering
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Optics
Replies
16
Views
5K
  • Materials and Chemical Engineering
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
21
Views
1K
  • Materials and Chemical Engineering
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
3K
Back
Top