Photovoltaic Solar Cell Generations | EveryEng

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Photovoltaic Solar Cell Generations

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2 enrolled

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509 min

Anytime

English

840 views

Team EveryEngMechanical Engineering

Energy & Utilities

Electrical Engineering

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Why enroll

This course helps learners understand the key technological differences between the three generations of photovoltaic solar cells. It explores how various PV technologies differ in terms of efficiency, material composition, and manufacturing processes. Participants will analyze the advantages and limitations of each generation of solar cells. The course also highlights the scalability and future potential of different photovoltaic technologies for sustainable energy applications.

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Team EveryEng

Engineer

Mechanical Engineering

22+ yrs experience·India

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You work in Energy & Utilities
You're a Electrical Engineering professional
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Course details

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the different generations of photovoltaic solar cell technologies and their role in modern renewable energy systems. Participants will learn the fundamental principles of solar energy conversion and how sunlight is transformed into electrical power using photovoltaic cells. The course explores the evolution of solar cell technologies, beginning with first-generation crystalline silicon solar cells, which are widely used in commercial solar panels. It then covers second-generation thin-film technologies, highlighting their advantages in flexibility, reduced material usage, and lower production costs. The course also introduces third-generation solar cells, including emerging technologies such as perovskite, dye-sensitized, and organic solar cells designed to improve efficiency and sustainability. Learners will understand the materials, fabrication techniques, and performance characteristics of each generation. The course also discusses efficiency improvements, cost considerations, and real-world applications of solar cell technologies. Environmental benefits and the role of photovoltaic systems in sustainable energy development are also emphasized. Through this course, participants will gain a clear understanding of the technological advancements and future potential of photovoltaic solar cells in the global energy landscape.

Course suitable for

Key topics covered

First-Generation Photovoltaics
Second-Generation Photovoltaics
Third-Generation Photovoltaics

Course content

The course is readily available, allowing learners to start and complete it at their own pace.

16 lectures8 hr 29 min

Equivalent Circuits of Solar Cells, Fill Factor
32 min
Fabrication Process of Semiconductor Grade Silicon
29 min
Fabrication Process of Single crystalline Silicon
25 min
Thin Film deposition Techniques
31 min
Thin Film Solar Cells: Amorphous Silicon
21 min
Photo Physics of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
45 min
Fabrication of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
24 min
Design of Novel dyes
32 min
Design of Electrolytes
20 min
Quantum Dot Solar Cells
41 min
Fabrication of Organic Solar Cells
29 min
Physics of Bulk Hetero Junction (BHJ) Solar Cells
37 min
Photo Physics of Organic Solar Cells
38 min
Morphology Optimization of Organic Solar Cells
30 min
Organic Nano Particles Based Solar Cells
33 min
Morphology Optimization in Organic Nanoparticle Based Solar Cells
42 min

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Questions and Answers

Q: You're reviewing a module datasheet while searching for "first generation photovoltaic solar cell crystalline silicon datasheet efficiency STC". The drawing shows a cell cross-section with front Ag grid, n-type emitter on p-type base, and a full-area Al rear contact. What generation does this cell architecture belong to?

A: That's the most common mistake — overthinking the materials stack when the contacts tell the story. A full-area aluminum back surface field and screen-printed silver grid are signatures of wafer-based c-Si. Thin films don't carry that much metal, and tandems would show at least two junctions in the section view.

Q: During a concept review you're googling "typical efficiency difference first second generation solar cells". At STC, a 1 m² module delivers 200 W. Another module of the same area delivers 120 W. Assuming similar optical losses, which pairing of PV generations is most consistent?

A: That's the most common mistake — assuming nameplate power hides efficiency. 200 W/m² implies ~20%, which tracks with c-Si. 120 W/m² sits near 12%, right where amorphous silicon lands once you account for Staebler–Wronski degradation.

Q: You're sanity-checking a calculation after searching "calculate open circuit voltage multi junction solar cell example". A triple-junction III–V cell has junction Voc values of 0.95 V, 0.85 V, and 0.65 V at STC. Ignoring series loss, what Voc do you expect at the terminals?

A: That's the most common mistake — mixing up current matching with voltage addition. In a monolithic multi-junction device the junctions are in series electrically, so Voc sums. Current limits power, not open-circuit voltage.

Q: While troubleshooting output drift you search "temperature coefficient impact on thin film vs crystalline silicon solar cells". Module temperature rises from 25°C to 55°C under the same irradiance. Which generation shows the smallest relative power drop?

A: That's the most common mistake — looking only at nameplate efficiency. Thin films, especially CdTe, run temperature coefficients around −0.25%/°C, noticeably flatter than c-Si at roughly −0.4%/°C. Over 30°C that gap matters.