Silicon and Photovoltaics - PV Solar Technology

The beauty of photovoltaics (PV) is that it has the capacity to displace our dependence on coal for the generation of electricity, yet PV modules are attractive simple devices with no moving parts and proven field reliability.

The history of PV is intimately tied up with silicon – the material that underpins our microelectronic information society.   The same properties that have allowed silicon to maintain its dominance in microelectronics are key to its dominant position in PV, accounting for over 90% market share.

Silicon is abundant (silicon and oxygen, the major components of sand, are the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust). Silicon is non-toxic. As it is a very well understood material, technologists can focus on inventing devices and processes without having to create new science.

SOURCE: 1366tech.com