Solar Cells…?
Aug 25, 2009 in
diy
Solar cells are devices that generate electricity when light is exposed to it. They are coated in transparent thin film, of silicon monoxide (Sio, n = 1.5), to minimize reflections.
Suppose you are designing a silicon solar cell (Si, n = 3.5), what is the minimum thickness you can apply to the surface of the cell that will yield the least amount of reflection for 552 nm of light, which is near the middle of the visible spectrum? Assume air n = 1.0.
WHY minimize the reflection from the solar cell?
Clarify your answer. Thank you! 
Related posts:
- Tips on Creating Homemade Solar Cells
- What Is The Next Revolution In Solar Cells?
- Solar Cells
- Solar Panel Cells – Managing the Power of Sun
- How Can We Measure Efficiency Of Solar Cells?
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
One comment
F = ma on August 25, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Don’t know the proper formula to calculate what the least amount of Silicon monoxide needed to yield the least amount of reflection.
But to the second part of the question. The more light that is being reflected, the less light there is being absorbed by the solar cell. The less light there is being absorbed by the solar cell, the less light there is being transformed into energy of another type by said solar cell.
In other words, the more light that is being reflected, the less efficient the solar cell will be, in regards to producing electricity.