Evolution and Modeling of Solar Photovoltaic Cells

The solar energy had been utilized even before 4000 B.C. for the development of mankind, it is not a new invention. In ancient times the people who were residing in rural area were building their homes with opening in the south in order to maximize the indoor temperature during low winter seasons. In 200 B.C. the concave mirror was discovered by the Chinese and later by the Greeks that points solar energy on a flammable substance to generate fire. It was used for different purposes like: cooking, soldering, and distilling perfumes. During Ist Century A.D. solar heat trapping was developed and Romans were using windows with transparent glass which allow sunlight and holds it in the head. The first solar engine was developed in 1615. Solomon De Caux invented the first solar engine. Glass lenses concentrate solar irradiation to an airtight metal vessel containing water and air. As the vessel heats up, it creates a small water fountain. This was the first published documentation of solar power use after the fall of Rome. The first solar cell was introduced by Charles Fritts and was manufactured from selenium in 1883. In April 1954, researchers present the first actual Silicon Solar PV cell at Bell Laboratory. It converts irradiation into electrical current, but past solar PV cells were having poor efficiency employed frequently. The history of solar PV cells reaches the original vision of the photovoltaic effect. In 1839, French physicist A. E. Becquerel, son of naturalist A. C. Becquerel and father of physicist H. Becquerel, was doing experiment with metal electrodes on an electrolyte solution when he saw it, he said small electromagnetic radiation are produced when substances faces to light, but the Phenomenon was not explained. It was mentioned in The New York Times that the Silicon Solar PV cell "may indicate the starting of a new span, one that will accidently lead to the realization of one of mankind's most cherished dreams — the use of uncanny power for solar energy. In past silicon solar PV cells were costly to be manufactured, and initial marketing efforts were not very successful at first. But within a short time, solar PV cells were widely used to power satellites, and other applications.