Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Submitted By: Arpita Vats

Latest development in the solar technology is the Quantum Dot Solar Cells. The
technology is still under a research and development phase and hasnt reached
the commercial market yet, however, has promising potential to generate high
levels of efficiency.

What are the Quantum Dot Solar Cells all about?

Quantum dot solar cells are solar cells built upon a network of crystals
manufactured at the nanometer scale that have the potential to outperform
conventional solar cell technologies due to a fundamental limitation of how solar
cells capture sunlight.
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This technology overcomes the inability of the alternate
silicon thin film to absorb different sizes or wavelength of spectrum. This is
particularly interesting since its silicon counterpart uses the as a stationery band
gap due which high wavelength. This results in more than half of the energy
being wasted. In Quantum Dot Cells, it is possible to tune the band gap to fit the
size of various wavelengths thus eliminating wastage and increasing the amount
of radiation captured.
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Efficiency

Currently the highest level of efficiency level that has been reached is 9%. Even
though is a lower than the available solar technologies in the market, the rate of
development has been at a much faster pace than that of the silicon cell. The
research is still in it nascent stage but it is said to have the potential to
efficiencies of 65% (how stuff works). It is also believed to have the potential to
capture 85% of the radiation, which is operated at full wavelength.
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1
What are Quantum Dot Solar Cells? WiseGeek. Web. 25 May. 2014
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-quantum-dot-solar-cells.htm

2
Quantum Dot Solar Cells Youtube. Web. 24 Oct. 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ35en-yYqE

3
What are Quantum Dot Solar Cells? WiseGeek. Web. 25 May. 2014
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-quantum-dot-solar-cells.htm

Cost-Structure

Cost Quantum Dot Solar Cells are low-cost and low-toxic solar cells. They can be
fabricated in the low-temperature or rather room temperature setting. The
material is deposited from a solution at room temperature. Conventional
photovoltaic require to be processed in high-temperature energy intensive
process.
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Another advantage of the quantum dot technology is that it can be
spayed on to any surface like plastic, glass etc. The technology can also be used
in paints. This opens up avenues for the technology to be painted on buildings
and windowpanes. Since the technology has not been put to commercial use,
there werent any exact figures mentioned on the Internet.
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Life Span

The lifespan is said to be lesser than that of the conventional photovoltaic. Since,
it uses organic material it will be easy to dispose at the life end.
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Constraints.

Since the technology is still in the development phase, its usability constraints
are not yet known. However, in its development, the negative type semiconductor
(rich in electron), when exposed to oxygen gets converted to positive type
semiconductor (poor in electron). An alternate negative type semiconductor has
been discovered which does not convert to positive type semiconductor when in

4
Balance is the key to making Quantum dot solar cells work MIT News. Web.
24 May. 2013 < http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2013/balance-key-to-making-quantum-
dot-solar-cells-work-0524>

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Amanda Ward 2012. Quantum Dots: The future of highly efficient solar cells.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CF
kQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2F136.142.82.187%2Feng12%2FAuthor%2Fdata%2F
2129.docx&ei=evKcU_SVDdSsyASb2YCoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGZKFpr53nyhrkNwdHQn
DZo_jAlvQ&sig2=4oPyCjwupa8RL9UYetNL6A&cad=rja

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Better Materials Means Better Solar Cells Photonics Spectra. Web. Sept. 2013
http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=54750

contact with air. In application this property might hinder the efficiency of the
technology.
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Conclusion

In conventional solar technology, the high cost of production and the requirement
of space is a hindrance is wide spread usage throughout the globe. In quantum
dot technology, the flexibility of application and low cost will enable more and
more people to take advantage of the technology. This will reduce the reliability
on fossil fuels to provide electricity and energy.







7
New class of nanoparticles brings cheaper, lighter solar cells outdoors Phys Org.
Web. 9 Jun. 2014. http://phys.org/news/2014-06-class-nanoparticle-cheaper-
lighter-solar.html