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First-Generation Solar Cells

First-generation solar cells, primarily made from monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon, operate through the photovoltaic effect to convert sunlight into electricity. They are characterized by high efficiency, long lifespan, and stable performance, but face drawbacks such as high manufacturing costs and material waste. Major Indian manufacturers include Adani Enterprises, Tata Power Solar, Vikram Solar, and Waaree Energies, with significant revenues reflecting the growing demand for renewable energy.

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15 views13 pages

First-Generation Solar Cells

First-generation solar cells, primarily made from monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon, operate through the photovoltaic effect to convert sunlight into electricity. They are characterized by high efficiency, long lifespan, and stable performance, but face drawbacks such as high manufacturing costs and material waste. Major Indian manufacturers include Adani Enterprises, Tata Power Solar, Vikram Solar, and Waaree Energies, with significant revenues reflecting the growing demand for renewable energy.

Uploaded by

cfqfg2sbpk
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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First-Generation Solar

Cells
Working, Materials, Features, Drawbacks, Manufacturing, Components,
Cost,Applications and
Major Indian Solar cells manufactures and their revenue
Working Principle
• Working Principle of First-Generation Solar Cells
• First-generation solar cells, primarily monocrystalline and
polycrystalline silicon cells, operate based on the
photovoltaic effect, which converts sunlight into electricity. The
process follows these key steps:
• 1. Photon Absorption – Sunlight (photons) hits the silicon
semiconductor, transferring energy to electrons in the material.
• 2. Electron Excitation – The energy excites electrons, causing
them to break free from their atoms.
• 3. PN Junction Effect – The cell has two silicon layers:
• • N-type silicon (excess electrons)
• • P-type silicon (electron deficiencies or “holes”)
• The junction between them creates an electric field that directs
the free electrons toward the negative terminal, preventing
them from recombining with holes.
• 4. Current Generation – The movement of electrons creates a
direct current (DC), which is collected by metal contacts.
Materials Used

• First-generation solar cells are primarily made of silicon wafers, with


additional materials for structure and efficiency enhancement.
• 1. Silicon (Si) – The core semiconductor material:
• • Monocrystalline Silicon – Made from a single crystal structure,
offering higher efficiency (~22-25%).
• • Polycrystalline Silicon – Made from multiple silicon crystals, resulting
in lower efficiency (~15-20%) but lower cost.
• 2. Doping Elements – Used to create the PN junction:
• • Phosphorus (P) – Added to the N-type layer to provide extra electrons.
• • Boron (B) – Added to the P-type layer to create “holes” for electron
movement.
• 3. Antireflective Coating (ARC) – Usually made of silicon nitride
(Si₃N₄) or titanium dioxide (TiO₂) to reduce reflection and increase light
absorption.
• 4. Metal Contacts – Conductive materials for electron collection:
• • Silver (Ag) – Used for front-side
Efficiency Comparison
Features

• Features of First-Generation Solar Cells


• 1. High Efficiency – Monocrystalline silicon cells achieve 22-
25% efficiency, while polycrystalline silicon cells have 15-
20% efficiency.
• 2. Long Lifespan – These solar cells can last 25-30 years
with minimal degradation.
• 3. Stable Performance – Provides consistent energy
output under standard conditions.
• 4. Rigid Structure – Made from solid silicon wafers,
requiring glass and aluminum framing for durability.
• 5. Mature Technology – First-generation solar cells have
been extensively researched and widely used for decades.
• 6. Good Temperature Coefficient – Performance decreases
slightly in high temperatures but remains relatively stable
compared to newer technologies.
Drawbacks

• 1.High Manufacturing Cost – The production process


requires high-purity silicon, which is energy-intensive
and expensive.
• 2. Material Waste – Monocrystalline silicon production
involves slicing cylindrical ingots, leading to waste of
raw silicon.
• 3. Brittle and Fragile – Silicon wafers are thin and
prone to cracking, making handling and installation
challenging.
• 4. Performance Drop at High Temperatures –
Efficiency decreases as temperature rises, reducing
output in hot climates.
• 5. Bulkiness and Weight – Requires glass, metal
framing, and additional mounting, making
installation more labor-intensive.
Performance Drop at High
Temperatures
Manufacturing Techniques & Process

• 1. Raw Material Processing


• • Quartz refined into metallurgical-grade silicon (MG-Si).
• • MG-Si purified using the Siemens process to form high-purity silicon.

• 2. Ingot Formation
• • Czochralski (CZ) Method: Forms single-crystal silicon ingots.
• • Directional Solidification: Produces polycrystalline silicon ingots.

• 3. Wafer Manufacturing
• • Ingots are sliced into thin wafers.
• • Wafers are etched and polished.

• 4. Doping & Coating


• • Phosphorus diffusion to create an n-type layer.
• • Anti-reflective coating (Si₃N₄) applied.
• 5. Metallization & Assembly
• • Metal contacts printed for current flow.
• • Cells assembled into solar panels.
Cost of Making & Selling

• • Manufacturing Cost:
• - Mono-Si: ₹16.40 – ₹24.60 per watt
• - Poly-Si: ₹12.30 – ₹20.50 per watt
• • Selling Price: ₹24.60 – ₹41.00 per watt
• • Installation Cost (Residential): ₹205.00 – ₹287.00 per watt.
Cost Breakdown of Solar Cells
Applications

• 1. Residential Solar Power – Used in rooftop solar


panels for homes to generate electricity and reduce
energy bills.
• 2. Commercial & Industrial Use – Installed on office
buildings, factories, and warehouses to cut
operational costs.
• 3. Utility-Scale Solar Farms – Large solar power
plants generate megawatts of electricity for the
grid.
• 4. Space Applications – Used in satellites, space
probes, and the International Space Station (ISS)
due to their durability and efficiency.
• 5. Solar-Powered Vehicles – Integrated into electric
cars, drones, and boats for extended battery life.
Major Solar Cell Manufacturers &
Revenue
• 1. Adani Enterprises
• • Revenue: Reported a net profit of ₹17.42 billion (approximately
$207.20 million) for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, driven
by increased demand for renewable energy.
• 2. Tata Power Solar
• • Revenue: The parent company, Tata Power, reported revenues of
₹615 billion (approximately $8.2 billion) for the fiscal year ending
March 2024.
• 3. Vikram Solar
• • Revenue: Achieved revenues of ₹25,109.90 million (approximately
$335 million) for FY 2023-24.
• 4. Waaree Energies
• • Revenue: The U.S. market accounted for nearly 20% of Waaree’s
revenue over the past nine months as of January 2025. Annual
Revenue: ₹116,328 million (approximately $1.56 billion), marking a
69.5% increase from ₹68,627 million in the previous fiscal year.
Revenue Comparison of Major Solar
Manufacturers

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