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
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