Photoactive layer

A photoactive layer is used in solar cells for absorbing light. It can be found in all solar cells, but with different panels the photoactive layer is made of different materials. Inorganic layers are made from inorganic materials such as silicon. The film has a layer arrangement of electrodes and counter electrode with organic layers in between the two. The layer is found underneath the glass, adhesive, and reflection coating, but is the first required part of the cell.[1]

Definition

Photoactive means it can have a chemical reaction with sunlight and/or ultraviolet light. Most of the solar cell is photoactive, but the base of the solar cell only conducts electricity after it has been converted. It can also mean that it responds to photons photoelectrically. This can also relate to a physical reaction, but this does not occur within photoactive layers.[2]

Reported timeline of solar cell energy conversion efficiencies (from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA)

Efficiency

Layers that are thicker are sometimes preferred because they can absorb more light. While sometimes thinner ones are preferred for greater efficiency.[3] The light must pass through the band gap. For this to work the light must have a minimum energy depending on the cell to pass through. Different cells have a different minimum while the light below the minimum passes through the absorber.[4]

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See also
  • Photovoltaic module
  • Solar Cell
  • Amorphous silicon
  • Green technology
  • Solar shingles
  • Timeline of solar energy

References
  1. "Photoactive Film, its Preparation and Use, and Preparation of Surface Relief and Optically Anisotropic Structures by Irradiating Said Film - Patent application".
  2. "The definition of photoactive".
  3. van Bavel, Svetlana (2009). "Relation between Photoactive Layer Thickness, 3D Morphology, and Device Performance in P3HT/PCBM Bulk-Heterojunction Solar Cells". Macromolecules. 42 (19): 7396–7403. doi:10.1021/ma900817t.
  4. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-07-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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