What are semiconductors in solar cells?

A solar cell is made of two types of semiconductors, called p-type and n-type silicon. The p-type silicon is produced by adding atoms—such as boron or gallium—that have one less electron in their outer energy level than does silicon. Instead, it is free to move inside the silicon structure.

Do solar panels need Semiconductors?

At the heart of a solar cell is a semiconductor layer, which is unequivocally the most important part of the cell. This material combines the properties of metals and insulators to yield a substance uniquely skilled at converting sunlight to electricity.

What is a semiconductor according to the band theory?

Semiconductors are defined to have conductivity in between an insulator and a conductor. A small band gap allows for the solid to have a strong enough flow of electrons from the valence to conduction bands in order to have some conductivity. …

How are semiconductors used in solar?

There are several different semiconductor materials used in PV cells. When the semiconductor is exposed to light, it absorbs the light’s energy and transfers it to negatively charged particles in the material called electrons. This extra energy allows the electrons to flow through the material as an electrical current.

Which semiconductor material is mostly used for solar cell?

Silicon
Silicon. Silicon is, by far, the most common semiconductor material used in solar cells, representing approximately 95\% of the modules sold today. It is also the second most abundant material on Earth (after oxygen) and the most common semiconductor used in computer chips.

Which is better semiconductor silicon or germanium?

In present, Silicon is preferred over Germanium for semiconductor. The reason is, Silicon can be worked at a higher temperature as compared to germanium. The structure of Germanium crystals will be destroyed at higher temperature. Also, Silicon has much smaller leakage current than that of germanium.

How do electrons move in a semiconductor?

The movement of electrons from left to right as in a wire or N-type semiconductor is explained by an electron entering the tube at the left forcing the exit of an electron at the right. Conduction of N-type electrons occurs in the conduction band. Compare that with the movement of a hole in the valence band.

How holes in semiconductor plays an important role in electrical conductivity?

The fifth valence electron becomes a free electron. The number of free electrons donated by the donor atoms is much greater than the number of free electrons and holes in the intrinsic semiconductor. This makes the conductivity of the n-type semiconductor much greater that of the intrinsic semiconductor.

What is the purpose of semiconductors?

A semiconductor can help controlled flow of electricity. The basic function of such a device is to switch ON and OFF the flow of electricity as and when required. A semiconductor device can perform the function of a vacuum tube with hundreds of times its volume.