Role of earth-abundant selenium in different types of solar cells

Abstract

This mini review covers a brief overview of three generations of solar cells, definition of major photovoltaic (PV) parameters, mechanisms, advantages and limitations of different types of solar cells such as multijunction, thin film, quantum dot, dye sensitized and perovskite solar cells, and what role the earth abundant selenium can play in each type of solar cells, followed by a comparative study of the benefits and challenges that selenium can offer in terms of PV properties, as well as the major players and cost analysis in this arena. As far as PV properties are concerned, BaZr(S0.6Se0.4)3 distorted chalcogenide perovskite solar cell can possibly lead the future, the next best ones being AlGaInP multijunction solar cell with Se emitter dopant and Se electrolyte additive in Zn-Cu-In-Se QD-sensitized solar cell. Cost-wise perovskite cell holds a lot of promise, but the efficacy of selenium needs to be explored further.