Solar Cells for Ecological Sustainable Development: A Review

Abstract

Solar energy is considered an environmentally friendly and never-ending renewable source of energy. Solar cells are an essential component of ecological sustainability. This energy can be harnessed for generating electricity without any pollutants even in remote areas. This renewable source of energy has been used to eliminate fossil sources. Through the photovoltaic effect, solar energy is transformed into electrical energy in a solar cell. Engineers and scientists are constantly working to improve solar cell efficiency, lower their cost, and develop technologies that maximize the quantity of sunshine turned into electrical power. These efforts culminate into four generations of solar cells – first, second, third, and fourth generations. Various models have been utilized to conceptually analyze solar cells, which is also beneficial to improve the solar cell's performance. In this study, advancement in the generations of solar cells, their types, manufacturing processes, various models, and future aspects have been discussed.