INFRARED PLASTIC SOLAR CELL

Why Use Solar Cells?

Low maintenance, long lasting sources of energy

Provides cost-effective power supplies for people remote from the main electricity grid

Non-polluting and silent sources of electricity

Convenient and flexible source of small amounts of power

Renewable and sustainable power, as a means to reduce global warming

In 2002, the global market for photovoltaic panels and equipment was valued at 3.5 billion dollars

The Solar Cell

The most common type of solar cells are Photovoltaic Cells (PV cells)

Converts sunlight directly into electricity Cells are made of a semiconductor material (eg. silicon) Light strikes the PV cell, and a certain portion is absorbed The light energy (in the form of photons) knocks electrons

loose, allowing them to flow freely, forming a current Metal contacts on the top and bottom of PV cell draws off

the current to use externally as power

Conventional solar cell

Disadvantages of conventional solar cell

In conventional solar cell it is observed that only 35% of the suns total energy is being used

The conventional solar cells are not so favorable on cloudy days

In order to overcome these disadvantages we use INFRARED PLASTIC SOLAR CELL

Infrared plastic solar cell

plastic solar cell can turn the suns power into electric energy even on a cloudy day.

The plastic material uses nanotechnology and contains the 1stgeneration solar cells that can harness the sun’s invisible infrared rays.

nano particles called quantum dots are combined with a polymer to make the plastic that can detect energy in the infrared.

Construction of plastic solar cell

The solar cell created is actually a hybrid, comprised of tiny nanorods dispersed in an organic polymer or plastic

Nanorods are made of cadmium selenide This layer of around 200 nanometers

thickness is sandwiched between electrodes The electrodes are coated with aluminium

Plastic solar cell

Working of plastic solar cell

Nanorods in the plastic solar cell acts like wires when they absorb light of specific wavelength they generate an electron and electron hole vacancy in the rod that moves around just like an electron

This electron travels the length of rod until it is collected by aluminium electrode

The hole is transferred to the plastic which is known as a hole carrier and conveyed to the electrode creating current

advantages

They are considered to be 30% more efficient when compared to conventional solar cells.

Traditional solar cells are bulky panels. This is very compact.

Flexible, roller processed solar cells have the potential to turn the sun’s power into a clean, green, consistent source of energy.

disadvantages

It is not cost effective Shorter life span when continuously exposed to

sun light Requires higher maintenance and constant

monitoring

Applications Development of a super thin disposable solar

panel poster

A hydrogen powered car painted with the film could potentially convert energy into electricity to continually recharge the car’s battery.

Any chip coated in the material could power cell phone or other wireless devices.

Thank you