PV cell

Conventional c-Si PV cells are structurally rigid and fragile, so they can break apart when they are under extreme external forces. Furthermore, rectangular PV modules that contain c-Si PV cells can only be deployed on a flat surface such as the roof of a building. Scientists and engineers that are involved in the field of solar PV have therefore been working on flexible and foldable PV cells that could become renewable energy solutions for a wider range of applications. ...  more

TSEC, which is a major Taiwan-based manufacturer of PV products, announced that it will be investing NT$700 million to set up a production line for large-size PV cells at its manufacturing base in Hsinchu. Building up the production capacity for large-size PV cells will enhance TSEC’s competitiveness, as the company is banking on the continuing demand growth in the domestic and overseas markets. Once the new production line is up and running, Taiwan’s solar sector will be able to offer next-generation PV cells based on wafers sized 10 to 12 inches. ...  more

Although thin-film PV cells have a long history of development and market presence, they are not as widely adopted as crystalline silicon PV cells. On one hand, thin-film cells have several significant advantages such as having a flexible substrate, being very light in weight, and reaching a high conversion efficiency. On the other hand, they are much more costly to manufacture than crystalline silicon cells. Consequently, low cost-performance ratio remains a major constraint to the market growth of the thin-film technology. ...  more

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing increase in investments on renewables worldwide appear to have resulted in a sharp upswing in silver prices. Within a short three-day period from August 4 to 6, silver prices skyrocketed and hit a four-year high of US$28.04/oz. If this trend continues, manufacturers of PV cells will begin to feel an increase in cost pressure. A recent study came out from the University of Kent in the UK stated that silver comprises about 6% of the total production cost of a PV module. ...  more

Compound eyes, which comprise hundreds to thousands of individual photoreception units (or smaller “eyes”), are peculiar to arthropods such as insects and crustaceans. ...  more

The conversion of solar energy into electricity does not solely rely on PV cells made from crystalline silicon. There are many alternative technologies including thin-film cells, perovskite cells, and organic cells. Recently, scientists in the US have also made breakthroughs in the development of PV cells based on quantum dots. ...  more

Installing PV systems inside a building seems to defy common sense, but it is justifiable on practical grounds. Since PV cells absorb a certain range of wavelengths from solar radiation to generate electricity, they can also do the same with light produced by indoor lighting fixtures. ...  more