Nanoparticle-based Solar Cells vs Conventional Solar Cells
Solar energy is becoming increasingly essential as the world's need for clean and sustainable energy sources grows. Solar cells are a form of clean technology capable of harnessing the sun's energy and transforming it into electricity. Two types of solar cells stand out: conventional solar cells and nanoparticle-based solar cells. In this blog post, we will make a factual and unbiased comparison between both types.
Conventional Solar Cells
Conventional solar cells, also known as wafer-based solar cells, have been in use since the 1950s. These solar cells are made of silicon, which is an abundant, non-toxic, and stable element. Semiconductor processing techniques are used to make them into wafers, which are then wired together into modules and placed in solar panels. When photons (light particles) from the sun hit the silicon wafers, they free electrons and cause a flow of electricity.
The efficiency level of conventional solar cells varies from about 15% to 20%. The major disadvantages of this technology are its high production cost, the low durability of the material used in them, and the difficulty of cutting and processing the large wafers used to manufacture them.
Nanoparticle-based Solar Cells
Nanoparticle-based solar cells are a type of thin-film solar cells that use nanocrystals instead of large wafers. Made from materials such as cadmium selenide or titanium dioxide, these nanocrystals are tiny, ranging from two to ten nanometers in diameter. One of the unique advantages of these particles is their ability to absorb a broad range of solar radiation, making them significantly more efficient.
Nanoparticle-based solar cells are incredibly flexible, which means they're suitable for use in a variety of settings, including portable devices and power-generating windows. And because they're much cheaper to make than conventional solar cells, they're an excellent option for low-cost energy needs.
However, nanoparticle-based solar cells have a shorter lifespan when compared to their conventional counterparts. Furthermore, some of the nanoparticles used in these cells can be harmful to the environment.
Comparison
When comparing nanoparticle-based solar cells to conventional solar cells, there are a few significant differences that stand out:
| Conventional Solar Cells | Nanoparticle-based Solar Cells | |
|---|---|---|
| Production Cost | High | Low |
| Efficiency | 15% - 20% | Over 20% |
| Durability | High | Low |
| Applicability | Limited | Diverse |
| Environmental Cost | Low | High |
Overall, their strengths and weaknesses make nanoparticle-based solar cells and conventional solar cells suitable for specific applications. Conventional solar cells are great for large solar farms and high power consumption systems, while nanoparticle-based solar cells are well-suited to portable devices and low-cost energy needs.
References
[1] Kulkarni, Pratiksha, et al. “A Comparison of Nanomaterial-Based and Conventional Solar Cells.” Journal of Electronic Materials, vol. 48, no. 11, Nov. 2019, pp. 7489–7500, doi:10.1007/s11664-019-07479-2.
[2] Nazeeruddin, Md K., et al. “Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.” Chemical Reviews, vol. 117, no. 16, Aug. 2017, pp. 10207–10277, doi:10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00593.