SECOND GENERATION SOLAR CELLS

Second generation solar cells are thin-film solar cells that are made by
accumulating multiple layers or thin films of PV or the Photovoltaic materials.
They are mostly a-Si and more economical. Visual Aesthetic is also an advantage.
They are supposed to exceed the first generation silicon c-Si technology wafer
solar cells in the terms of their efficiency and economy.
Thin film solar cells are of the following types-
a) CdTe ( Cadmium Telluride )
b) CIGS (copper indium gallium di-selenide).
c) a-Si ( Amorphous Silicon )

CADMIUM TELLURIDE
CdTe is a crystalline compound comprising of cadmium and tellurium. CdTe is
compressed with Cadmium Sulphide to form a p-n junction solar Photovoltaic cell.
It is the cheaper even than the conventional solar systems in the multi-kW
systems. It is also one of the most widely used PV cells. It has about 5.3 percent
global market share. As it uses rare materials therefore the future availability also
becomes an issue of major concern and thus a limiting factor. It is also a brilliant
direct gap band semiconductor making the intake of light maximum thus
improving the efficiency . The process comprises of mainly 3 processes :
Synthesizing the polycrystalline materials and shortlisting glass as one of the
substrate. The next is Depositing various layers, of the cadmium and tellurium
using different methods. CdTe also has a direct optimum band gap. The efficiency
of CdTe lies between 9-11 percent. They are also flexible. Cadmium being a toxic
metal homes in every living being and affects adversely thus being a major
environment influencer. Therefore protecting the environment also becomes a
major issue .

COPPER INDIUM GALLIUM DI-SELENIDE

CIGS expanded as coper indium gallium di-selenide solar cell comprises of the
four metals mentioned above. They are too like the previous types i.e. direct
band-gap type semiconductors. They are the most often used due to their higher
efficiency, even more then the CdTe which ranges from 10-12% . It is made by
overlapping the above mentioned elements . To collect current insulator layering
like glass or plastic is applied on the above and back with electrodes. It also has a
brilliant absorbing capacity which engulfs light at its maximum capacity. The
making of CIGS includes processes like co-evaporation and sputtering. For CIGS
one of the crucial steps include choosing the substrates which are often either
glass, steel, polymer plates or aluminium. Its sustainability and long life is an
advantage and easy solution too enhances its efficiency .

AMORPHOUS SILICON THIN FILM (a-Si)