A silicon solar cell is a photovoltaic cell made of silicon semiconductor material. It is the most common type of solar cell available in the market. The silicon solar cells are combined and confined in a solar panel to absorb energy from the sunlight and convert it into electrical energy.
Silicon solar cells are the most broadly utilized of all solar cell due to their high photo-conversion efficiency even as single junction photovoltaic devices. Besides, the high relative abundance of silicon drives their preference in the PV landscape.
Today, silicon dominates the semiconductor scene, especially in the solar panel market. However, the crystalline form of silicon is harder and more expensive to develop. So, in the effort to bring the cost down, other forms of silicon as well as other semiconductor materials are being utilized in the making of solar cells.
Crystalline silicon cells are made of silicon atoms connected to one another to form a crystal lattice. This lattice provides an organized structure that makes conversion of light into electricity more efficient. Solar cells made out of silicon currently provide a combination of high efficiency, low cost, and long lifetime.
Like all solar cells, a silicon solar cell also has many benefits: It has an energy efficiency of more than 20%. It is a non-toxic material. Therefore, it is not harmful to the environment. The silicon solar cell can be placed in solar panels and used for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. It is a cost-effective option.
An ideal solar cell has a direct band gap of 1.4 eV to absorb the maximum number of photons from the sun's radiation. Silicon solar cells, however, have an indirect band gap of 1.1 eV. With the world craving a new source of energy besides fossil fuels, silicon solar cells will play a much larger role in the future.