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Photovoltaic Materials Essay

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Photovoltaic Materials
Ahmed Albalbisi
University of South Florida

Abstract
Solar energy is one of the most used energy sources that all living things depend upon. Man has been able to capture some of the sun’s energy and uses it for cooking, heating and to power everyday appliances. Solar energy technologies have come a long way. Solar cells, commonly referred to as photovoltaic cells, transform the solar energy into electrical energy. Owing that solar energy is renewable and could be the most dependable source of electricity, it is worthwhile to drive the production costs further down to enable growth in the photovoltaic manufacturing sector. Research in the solar cell manufacturing field indicates that influences …show more content…

In converting solar enagy to electrical energy for use, Solar cells commonly known as photovoltaic cells are used. Technology innovations in the solar photovoltaics is anticipated to significantly reduced the cost of energy across the globe (Kalkman et al, 2015). This paper will look to investigate and research on prospective production practices and innovations that will help to drive down expenditure involved in the production of photovoltaic materials.

In the past four decades, there have been numerous strides made in the photovoltaic enagy field which has seen has seen the emergence of PV as a viable source of renewable energy. One significant development is the progressive reduction in the unit cost of photovoltaic cells made from silicon. For instance, an analysis of the cost in dollars per watt of Crystalline Silicon from 1977 indicates that the cost has been declining steadily. In 1977, the cost in dollars per watt ($IW) over $76, in the year 2000, it stood at $5 and surprisingly, in 2015 it was at a low of $0.30 (Kalkman et al, 2015). Due to the decline in cost per unit watt, photovoltaic energy production has reached grid-parity in 40 countries of thereabout. In it projected that by the end of this year, it would have attained grid-parity in more than half of the countries of the world (Balfour Shaw, 2011).

Albeit the cost of c-Si cells has become very affordable, its low cost has made it hard for other equally viable

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