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.

How are second generation Solar Cells fabricated?

Hence, second generation of solar cells, manifested in the form of thin-film solar cells, are fabricated by stacking one or more thin-film layers on cheap substrates such as conductive oxide-coated glass or plastic.

What are the different types of thin-film photovoltaic solar cells?

The main technologies representing the thin-film photovoltaic solar cells include: 1. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) cells. 2. Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) cells. 3. Amorphous silicon (a-Si) cells. 4. Gallium arsenide (GaAr) cells. The history of CdTe solar cells dates back to the 1950s.

What are 3rd generation photovoltaic cells?

These technologies are often terms as the “third-generation photovoltaic cells,” including dye-sensitized, organic, quantum dot, perovskite, micromorph, copper-zinc, tin sulfide, and nanocrystal solar cells.

What is a fourth generation photovoltaic cell?

Fourth Generation of Photovoltaic Cells Fourth-generation photovoltaic cells are also known as hybrid inorganic cells because they combine the low cost and flexibility of polymer thin films, with the stability of organic nanostructures such as metal nanoparticles and metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and their derivatives.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a second generation photovoltaic cell?

The second-generation photovoltaic cell comparison : Efficiency: 5 ÷ 12%; Band gap: ~1.7 eV; Life span: 15 years; Advantages: Less expensive, available in large quantities, non-toxic, high absorption coefficient; Restrictions: Lower efficiency, difficulty in selecting dopant materials, poor minority carrier lifetime.