Home > Learning Center > Solar Cell
Solar Cell
Solar cells are the basic component of today’s photovoltaic systems. As the term cell may indicate, they are fairly small. They are not microscopic, but it is not uncommon to have dozens, if not hundreds of cells in a single solar panel. The solar cells take in sunlight and produce an electric charge. The efficiency at which they do this determines the effectiveness of the cells.
Laboratories are focused on increasing the efficiency of solar cells, while companies marketing the cells are trying to bring down costs. Both these frontiers are means to increase the commercial viability of solar power. Lab conditions project that multiple junction solar cells have an efficiency peak of over 60%. If the cost of production could be brought to current levels, this would make solar power far and away the least expensive power source on the market. The only problem remaining to be solved would be the 24 hours a day 365 days a year supply question, and that is something that must be answered for any power source.
Currently, most marketable solar cells achieve a 33% efficiency rate. This makes them comparable in cost to burning fossil fuels when they are run over a 5-7 year period. Solar arrays are designed with a minimal life of 10 years, meaning that they have crossed the threshold into a savings in straight cost over fossil fuel sources of energy.
Solar Panels | Solar Energy | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home
Copyright © 2010