The Cost of Solar Cells to Harvest Energy Essay -- Power Environment R

Solar Cells - Energy of the Future Solar cells have been around since 1883, when the first solar cell was created. Even though they have been around for so long, many people still wonder why they have not been implemented into wide-scale usage already. Solar cells today are highly efficient and can provide enough energy to power many cities today. But what is holding them back from being used in developing countries that have a chance to base their society around them, or in already developed countries? Simply put- the cost. Before I go in to detail about usage and implementation of solar cells, let me explain just how they work. Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells (Photo= light Voltaic=electricity) capture photons, convert them into electrons, and use these electrons to transfer energy to whatever you want to power. To do this, solar cells are made with a material called a semiconductor, which, for solar cells is almost always silicon. When light hits this material, it causes electrons to break loose and flow throughout the material. By placing metal plates on the solar cell, we can capture this flow of electrons, otherwise known as current. Using the equation Power= Volts * Current, you can calculate the voltage output of a cell, which, using silicon, is about 1.1 volts- a 25% or so efficiency. There are currently three types of solar cells- first generation, second generation, and third generation, where each generation aims to address a certain problem with solar cells. First generation cells aim to make as many cells as possible, second generation aim to make highly effective solar panels, and third generation cells try to create the most cost efficient solar panels. In this paper, I will address how and w... ...vernment. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved on 2007-10-02. Government, US. "Government Solar Facts." Multiband Solar Panels. 29 July 2008 . How Stuff Works. "Solar Cells." How Stuff Works. 29 July 2008 . Inc., Energy, comp. "Purchase a Solar Cell." Purchase a Solar Cell Today. 29 July 2008 . Irock23. "Yahoo Answers." Yahoo Answers. 29 July 2008 . James, Stuart. "Http://articles.latimes.com/2007/sep/01/local/me-heat1." La Times 29 July 2008: 15-16. Online, Chemistry, ed. "Solar Powering the World." Solar Energy (Photovoltaic Cells). 29 July 2008 .