Solar Cells

Solar Cells

Photovoltaic cells (commonly referred too as solar cells) are the building blocks of today's solar panels. They are, in essence, what makes solar power possible, and while they have been around for many decades, today's cells are vastly superior to those earlier varieties. Because of this, modern solar panels are more efficient than ever before.

It is generally accepted that if it were not for the United States space program and NASA, solar cells would have probably fallen by the wayside. The first cells that were developed, while interesting, were not deemed viable as they were relatively expensive to make when compared with the electricity they could produce. However, NASA saw a great deal of potential in these little wonders, and soon were using them to help maintain battery power on their satellites.

Since that time, solar cells have become a staple of the alternative energy industry. While silicon is still used as a construction material, there have been many other designs that have evolved over the years. Thin film cells are often made from Cadmium Telluride and light absorbing dyes, and such designs have been a real boom to the industry as a whole.