Thin film solar cells are a new and exciting technology that is rapidly gaining popularity in the renewable energy industry. They are lightweight, flexible, and can be produced at a lower cost than traditional solar cells. In this article, we will explore how thin film solar cells are made in the United Kingdom.
Before delving into the manufacturing process, it is essential to understand what thin film solar cells are. Thin film solar cells are made from materials such as amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). These materials are deposited onto a substrate, which acts as a base for the solar cell. The substrate is usually made from glass or plastic.
The manufacturing process of thin film solar cells involves several steps. The first step is to deposit the semiconductor material onto the substrate. This is achieved through a process called physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). PVD involves heating the semiconductor material until it evaporates and then condensing it onto the substrate. CVD, on the other hand, involves introducing a gas containing the semiconductor material into a chamber and then depositing it onto the substrate.
Once the semiconductor material is deposited onto the substrate, it is then processed to create the solar cell. This involves creating a p-n junction, which is a region where the semiconductor material changes from p-type (positive charge carriers) to n-type (negative charge carriers). This is achieved by using a technique called doping, which involves adding impurities to the semiconductor material to create the necessary charge carriers.
After the p-n junction is created, the solar cell is then coated with a transparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO). This material allows the solar cell to collect sunlight and convert it into electricity. The ITO is deposited onto the solar cell through a process called sputtering, which involves bombarding a target material with ions to release atoms that are then deposited onto the solar cell.
Finally, the solar cell is encapsulated to protect it from the elements. This involves coating the solar cell with a layer of glass or plastic and sealing it with a layer of adhesive. This encapsulation layer also helps to improve the durability and efficiency of the solar cell.
In the United Kingdom, there are several companies that are involved in the production of thin film solar cells. One such company is First Solar, which produces cadmium telluride thin film solar cells. The company has a manufacturing plant in Wales, where it produces solar modules that are used in large-scale solar power plants.
Another company that produces thin film solar cells in the UK is Oxford PV. The company produces CIGS thin film solar cells and has developed a technology that increases the efficiency of CIGS solar cells by adding a layer of perovskite material. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the solar industry by improving the efficiency of thin film solar cells.
In conclusion, thin film solar cells are an exciting technology that has the potential to revolutionize the renewable energy industry. In the United Kingdom, there are several companies that are involved in the production of thin film solar cells, using a variety of materials and manufacturing processes. As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, it is likely that thin film solar cells will play an increasingly important role in meeting this demand.
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