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Drafting Insights: Clean Technology

Published Date

In 2023, Solar PV generated 1600TWh of energy.
25% growth over the year before.
Source: EIA

Solar accounted for 5.4% of global energy generation in 2023.
80% of renewable energy was from solar.
Source: SEIA

How does a solar cell work?
n-type silicon layer
depletion zone
p-type silicon layer
flow of electrons

A p-n junction is formed:
N-type: Excess electrons
P-type: Excess holes


How does a solar cell work?
Front electrical contact
N-Type
P-Type
Back electrical contact

Photon
Depletion Zone

Light photons create electron-hole pairs

Electrons move to the n-type, holes to the p-type

By connecting a load, current flows

Solar Cells: Four Generations of Innovation
First Generation (in 90% of market):
1.    Glass
2.    Cathode
3.    P-doped silicon
4.    N-doped silicon
5.    Anode
Monocrystalline (m-Si): 24% efficiency
-    Pros: Stable, long life
-    Cons: Expensive, temperature sensitive
Polycrystalline (p-Si): 18% efficiency
-    Pros: Easy to manufacture, higher absorption
-    Cons: High temperature sensitivity
GaAs: 28% efficiency
-    Pros: Highly stable
-    Cons: Expensive
Solar Cells: Four Generations of Innovation
Second Generation:
1.    Cathode
2.    N-type cadmium sulfide
3.    P-type copper indium gallium selenide
4.    Sputtered molybdenum
5.    Anode
Amorphous Silicon (a-Si): 12% efficiency    
-    Pros: Lower cost, non-toxic
-    Cons: Low efficiency
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe): 16% efficiency
-    Pros: High absorption rate
-    Cons: Toxic materials, lower efficiency
Copper Indium Gallium Selenide
(CIGS): 20% efficiency
-    Pros: Less material required
-    Cons: Expensive, not stable


Solar Cells: Four Generations of Innovation
Third Generation:
1.    Fluorine-doped tin oxide
2.    Electron transport layer
3.    Perovskite
4.    Hole Transport Layer
5.    Silver
Perovskite: 21% efficiency
-    Pros: Low cost, easy to manufacture
-    Cons: Stability unknown
Dye Sensitized: 20% efficiency
-    Pros: Low cost, extended lifetime
-    Cons: Toxic materials, temperature instability
Quantum Dots: 17% efficiency
-    Pros: Low cost
-    Cons: Highly toxic, degrades
Organic & polymeric: 11% efficiency
-    Pros: Low cost, flexible
-    Cons: Low efficiency
Tandem & Multijunction: 45% efficiency
-    Pros: High performance
-    Cons: Complex, not in production


Solar Cells: Four Generations of Innovation
Fourth Generation (R&D stage):
1.    Transparent Conductive Oxide
2.    Electron Transport Layer
3.    Graphene
4.    Hole Transport Layer
5.    Back Reflector
Graphene-based: efficiency unknown
-    Pros: Low cost, excellent conductivity
-    Cons: Poor hydrophilicity, difficult to manufacture

Current efficiency across the network
Solar cells: 24%
SiC inverters: 98%
Storage systems: 85%
Power transmission: 5.4% globally, behind hydropower & wind

Future Outlook: bright and sunny!

Solar energy will play a key role in the global energy transition as technology advances and costs decrease.

Find out more information about clean technology innovation at mouser.com/empowering-innovation