What are the different types of photovoltaic technology?

There are four main categories that are described as the generations of photovoltaic technology for the last few decades, since the invention of solar cells : First Generation: This category includes photovoltaic cell technologies based on monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

What is a Si H photovoltaic cell?

Hydrogen is required to dope the material, leading to hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). The gas phase deposition technique is typically used to form a-Si photovoltaic cells with metal or gas as the substrate material . A typical manufacturing process for a-Si:H cells is the roll-to-roll process.

Which materials are used in thin films of photovoltaic cells?

Semiconductor materials ranging from “micromorphic and amorphous silicon” to quaternary or binary semiconductors such as “cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)” are used in thin films of photovoltaic cells . Figure 12. Manufacturing process of a-Si-based solar PV cell . 2.3. Third Generation of Photovoltaic Cells

What makes photovoltaics so popular?

The popularity of photovoltaics depends on three aspects—cost, raw material availability, and efficiency. Third-generation solar cells are the latest and most promising technology in photovoltaics. Research on these is still in progress.

What is a second generation photovoltaic cell?

Second Generation of Photovoltaic Cells The thin film photovoltaic cells based on CdTe, gallium selenide, and copper (CIGS) or amorphous silicon have been designed to be a lower-cost replacement for crystalline silicon cells.

What are the different types of amorphous silicon?

Some varieties of amorphous silicon (a-Si) are amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC), amorphous germanium silicon (a-SiGe), microcrystalline silicon (μ-Si), and amorphous silicon nitride (a-SiN). Hydrogen is required to dope the material, leading to hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H).