Internal structure of solar power generation

What is the structure of a solar cell?

The solar cell structure consists of two layers of different semiconductor materials that are doped differently. The construction of a simple silicon solar cell is shown in Figure 1. The solar cell is like a p-n junction diode.

What are the main features of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation?

Abstract: This chapter presents the important features of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and an overview of electrical storage technologies. The basic unit of a solar PV generation system is a solar cell, which is a P‐N junction diode. The power electronic converters used in solar systems are usually DC‐DC converters and DC‐AC converters.

How do solar cells produce electricity?

Light shining on the solar cell produces both a current and a voltage to generate electric power. This process requires firstly, a material in which the absorption of light raises an electron to a higher energy state, and secondly, the movement of this higher energy electron from the solar cell into an external circuit.

How are solar cells designed?

Solar cells are designed in different sizes and shapes to maximize the effective surface area and reduce the losses because of contact resistance. 7 There are many types of solar cells, but the wafer-based crystalline silicon is used to build about 90% of the total solar cells, which were described with a single diode model until 2013. 31

What is a typical solar cell architecture?

Typical solar cell architecture consists of a p- type c-Si wafer (1–5 Ω cm) with n+ diffusion forming the pn- junction. The p- type Si substrate is cleaned following the standard procedures and random texturization forming upright pyramids, which reduces the reflection loss.

What is the basic unit of a solar PV system?

The basic unit of a solar PV generation system is a solar cell, which is a P‐N junction diode. The power electronic converters used in solar systems are usually DC‐DC converters and DC‐AC converters. Either or both these converters may be necessary depending on whether the solar panel is connected to a DC load, an AC load or an AC grid.