SOLAR-CELLS

Solar cells are based on the photovoltaic effect of converting solar energy into electric energy. The mechanism for solar cells is divided into steps, that is, electron-hole pair generation by absorption of light in semiconductors, separation of electron-hole pairs by built-in potential, electron-hole recombination, collection of charge carriers by metal electrodes, etc. In this article, the principle and the theories of these basic steps are presented. On the basis of these steps, methods to improve the efficiency for solar cells are discussed. The fabrication process and the situation of currently produced solar cells are also presented. Solar cells having no p-n junction, that is, photoelectrochemical solar cells and MIS solar cells, are discussed from the perspective of low-cost solar cells.