Different Types Of Solar Cells: Some Important Facts

Solar power has been touted as the major energy source of the future. Residential solar power systems are now in great demand as homeowners worry about the sky-rocketing prices of other fuel sources. Many articles have discussed the benefits of having this type of alternative energy source powering one's home. However, how does the system really works? For instance, are there different types of solar cells out there? You bet, and this article introduces you to some of the different types, which provides quite a bit of useful information.

A bit of background information first. The first solar cell was created in 1883 by a man named Charles Fritts. Good ole Charlie used selenium as the base for his photovoltaic cell, which paved the way for other inventors and band-wagon jumpers to develop their own types of solar cells.

Selenium fell out of use, bowing out when the world turned its affection to the silicon-based solar cell. Until now, the use of silicon-based photovoltaic solar cells persists. Nonetheless, the evolution and discoveries in this field of science and technology will produce other types of solar cells, which include those that are based on amorphous silicon, copper, and cadmium telluride. Each new development promised to harness the power of the sun better than their predecessor solar cells did.
These days, carbon-based solar cells are preferred over silicon wafers for residential solar power systems. These solar cells are also being tested for space applications.