Alternatives to Silicon in Photovoltaic Cells

The industry of solar cells is truly still at its young stage. It follows and it is very apparent that there is still a significant room for improvement. There is no need to justify and verify the validity and effectiveness of photovoltaic or solar cells in generating electricity. It has already been established. However, there is one area of concern.

Silicon mostly makes up the entire solar cells. That is because the element is the common solar energy absorbent that could facilitate the flow of photons and electrons as prompted by solar light and energy collection.

But now, because silicon is becoming a rare and expensive raw material and because of its limitations, industry players are rushing to replace the element with other materials without compromising the solar cells’ overall and general energy generation capacity.

Some feasible and already used alternatives or replacements to silicon include titanium oxide, which facilitates for photosynthesis-like solar power generation.

Titanium oxide also facilitates power generation even during rainy days because of its ability to collect even low-level sunlight. Now, cadmium telluride and copper indium diselenide is also in experimental stages.

These materials when used to replace silicon would make solar cells more affordable and easily installable at common households.