POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

MEH-801

1801747
Challa Shabd Swaroop
B.TECH Final Year
DEI
 Index

Solar cell technology

History
What is Solar energy
Working principle of solar cell
Plastic solar cell
Procedure
Printing
Advantages
Limitations
References
SOLAR CELL TECHNOLOGY
HISTORY

solar energy is a unconventional source of energy.

 In 1839, French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect while
experimenting with a cell made of metal electrodes in a conducting solution.He noted that
the cell produced more electricity when it was exposed to light.
 Later in 1873, Willoughby Smith discovered that selenium could function as a
photoconductor.
 Just three years later, in 1876 William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day applied the
photovoltaic principle discovered by Becquerel to selenium. They recorded that it could, in
fact, generate electricity when exposed to light.
 Almost 50 years after the photovoltaic effect’s discovery, in 1883, American inventor
Charles Fritz created the first working selenium solar cell. Though we use silicon in cells
for modern solar panels this solar cell was a major precursor to the technology used today.
 In a way, many physicists played a part in solar cell invention. Becquerel is attributed with
uncovering the potential of the photovoltaic effect, and Fritz with actually creating the
ancestor to all solar cells.
 Solar energy
What is a solar energy

solar thermal energy including solar water heating, and solar

architecture. solar energy, radiation from the Sun capable of
producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity.
The total amount of solar energy incident on Earth is vastly in
excess of the world’s current and anticipated energy requirements. If
suitably harnessed, this highly diffused source has the potential to
satisfy all future energy needs. In the 21st century solar energy is
expected to become increasingly attractive as a renewable energy
source because of its inexhaustible supply and its non-polluting
character, in stark contrast to the finite fossil fuels coal, petroleum,
and natural gas.
 Working principle of solar cell
When light reaches the p-n junction, the light photons can easily
enter in the junction, through very thin p-type layer. The light
energy, in the form of photons, supplies sufficient energy to the
junction to create a number of electron-hole pairs. The incident
light breaks the thermal equilibrium condition of the junction.
The free electrons in the depletion region can quickly come to the
n-type side of the junction.
Similarly, the holes in the depletion can quickly come to the p-type side of
the junction. Once, the newly created free electrons come to the n-type side,
cannot further cross the junction because of barrier potential of the junction.
Similarly, the newly created holes once come to the p-type side cannot
further cross the junction became of same barrier potential of the junction.
As the concentration of electrons becomes higher in one side, i.e. n-type
side of the junction and concentration of holes becomes more in another
side, i.e. the p-type side of the junction, the p-n junction will behave like a
small battery cell. A voltage is set up which is known as photo voltage. If
we connect a small load across the junction, there will be a tiny current
flowing through it.
PLASTIC SOLAR CELL TECHNOLOGY

An organic solar cell (OSC) or plastic solar cell is a type of photovoltaic that uses
organic electronics, a branch of electronics that deals with conductive organic
polymers or small organic molecules, for light absorption and charge transport to
produce electricity from sunlight by the photovoltaic effect. Scientists recently found
a new way to make solar panels: by printing them! Most people think about printing
things like books, but we can also use a special kind of printers to print objects made
out of plastics. Plastics are made up of long molecules called polymers.
 procedure
How do Plastic Solar Cells Change Light into Electricity?
To answer this important question, we have to look how plastic solar cells are made. Plastic solar cells consist of a plastic layer on glass or a
flexible foil. In the lab, we use glass plates with a transparent electric contact [the positive (+) pole]. On top of this contact, we put the ink for the
active layer. The most important region of plastic solar cell this is the layer where sunlight covert into charge.
, which is the part of the solar cell that converts sunlight to electricity. This ink contains two polymers, a long green one and a shorter red one.
The polymers form a mixed layer, as shown in On top of that layer, we put a metal layer, which functions as the negative (−) pole. We then turn
the whole stack of layers upside down such that sunlight can shine through the glass into the active layer.
Printing
Plastic Solar Cells
Scientists recently found a new way to make solar panels: by printing them! Most people think about printing things like books, but we can also
use a special kind of printers to print objects made out of plastics. Plastics are made of polymers , which are very long molecules. Under a very
strong microscope, polymers look like cooked spaghetti, but, in fact, they are a million times smaller. To print plastics, you simply replace the ink
by a plastic fluid replacing cartridge in your printer at home with “plastic ink.” The plastic ink is a combination of two polymers dissolved in a
liquid. When printed, the liquid dries and the two polymers form a thin film. For solar cells, we use a special type of polymer that can convert
sunlight into electricity.
 Advantages over conventional cells

•They are considered to be 30% more efficient when compared to

conventional solar cells.
•They are more efficient and more practical in application.
•Traditional solar cells are bulky panels. This is very compact.
•Conventional solar cells are only used for large applications with big
budgets. But the plastic solar cells are feasible as they can be even sewn
into fabric- thus having vast applications.
•Flexible, roller processed solar cells have the potential to turn the sun’s
power into a clean, green, consistent source of energy.
Limitations

•The biggest problem with this is cost effectiveness. But that could
change with new material. But chemists have found a way to make
cheap plastic solar cells flexible enough to paint onto any surface and
potentially able to provide electricity for wearable electronics or other
low power devices.
•Relatively shorter life span when continuously exposed to sunlight.
•Could possibly require higher maintenance and constant monitoring.
REFERENC
E

•Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications: Edelstein, A.

S., Cammarata, R. C., Eds.; Institute of Physics Publishing: Bristol and
Philadelphia, 1996.
The Coming Era of Nanotechnology; 1987. Drexler, K. Eric,
Doubleday; New York
Conjugated Polymer-Based Organic Solar Cells: SerapGunes, Helmut
Neugebauer, and NiyaziSerdarSariciftci, Chem. Rev. 2007, 107, 1324-
1338
PLASTIC SOLAR CELLS: IMPLEMENTATION OF NANOROD
AND SCREEN PRINTING TECHNOLOGY by Mr. N.Manogna& Mr.
V.Chandana
Modeling the optical absorption within conjugated polymer/fullerene-
based bulk-hetero junction organic solar cells: H. Hoppea, N. Arnoldb,
N.S. Sariciftcia, D. Meissner, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 80
(2003) 105–113.
[Active Layer Materials for Organic Solar Cells, JianhuiHou and Xia
Guo W. C. H. Choy (ed.), Organic Solar Cells, Green Energy and
Technology, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4471-4823-4_2, _ Springer London
2013
THANK YOU