Question

Which of the following material is used to make Solar Cell?

• A. Arsenic
• B. Antimony
• C. Germanium
• D. Silicon

Hint:

While Silicon is the standard, modern research also focuses on "Perovskites" and "Gallium Arsenide" (GaAs) for specialized, ultra-high-efficiency solar cells used in space.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Solar cells (photovoltaic cells) require semiconductor materials that can efficiently convert sunlight into electricity via the photovoltaic effect. 1. Why Silicon (Si)? Silicon is the most widely used material for solar cells for several reasons:

• Abundance: It is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust (found in sand).

• Bandgap: Silicon has a bandgap of approximately 1.1 eV, which is well-suited to the solar spectrum, allowing it to absorb a significant portion of sunlight.

• Technology: The manufacturing processes for high-purity silicon are extremely well-developed due to the semiconductor/computer chip industry.

2. Analysis of Other Options:

• Arsenic (As) and Antimony (Sb): These are Group V elements used primarily as "dopants" to create n-type semiconductor material, but they are not the bulk material of the cell itself.

• Germanium (Ge): While a semiconductor, its bandgap is lower (0.67 eV), leading to higher thermal losses and lower efficiency for standard solar applications compared to Silicon. It is also much rarer and more expensive.
Most commercial solar panels today are made of either monocrystalline or polycrystalline Silicon.