Cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaics are a type of thin-film solar cell that are made from a cadmium telluride (CdTe) semiconductor. CdTe photovoltaics are the second most common type of thin-film solar cell, after cadmium sulfide (CdS) photovoltaics. CdTe solar cells are less expensive to manufacture than CdS solar cells, and they have a higher power conversion efficiency. CdTe solar cells are used in a variety of applications, including solar power plants, portable solar chargers, and consumer solar products.
Who makes cadmium telluride solar panels?
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels are made by a number of manufacturers, including First Solar, Sharp, and Abound Solar. CdTe panels are made by depositing a thin film of cadmium telluride onto a substrate, typically glass or metal. The cadmium telluride is then chemically treated to create a p-n junction, which allows the panel to absorb light and convert it into electricity.
Why is CdTe used in solar cells?
CdTe, or cadmium telluride, is a semiconductor material that is used in solar cells. It is a direct bandgap semiconductor with a bandgap of 1.45 eV. CdTe solar cells are typically made using a two-step process: first, a CdTe film is deposited on a substrate, and then, an n-type layer is deposited on top of the CdTe film. The n-type layer provides the electrical contact to the CdTe film. CdTe solar cells have a number of advantages over other types of solar cells. They are relatively cheap to manufacture, and they have a high power conversion efficiency. CdTe solar cells are also less sensitive to light than other types of solar cells, which means that they can be used in a wider range of applications. What is cadmium telluride used for? Cadmium telluride is a semiconductor that is used in a variety of electronic devices, including solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and photodetectors. CdTe solar cells are among the most efficient types of solar cells available, and CdTe LEDs are beginning to be used in a variety of applications. Is CdTe cheaper than silicon? Yes, CdTe is cheaper than silicon. CdTe has a lower production cost than silicon, and it is also more efficient than silicon.
What are the properties of cadmium telluride?
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is a I-III-VI compound semiconductor, consisting of cadmium (Cd) and tellurium (Te). It has a wide direct bandgap of 1.5-2.0 eV and a large absorption coefficient, making it ideal for use in solar cells and photodetectors. CdTe solar cells are the second most common type of thin-film solar cell, after silicon.
CdTe has a rock salt crystal structure, with the Cd and Te atoms arranged in a cubic closest-packed structure. The Cd atoms are in octahedral sites, surrounded by six Te atoms, and the Te atoms are in tetrahedral sites, surrounded by four Cd atoms.
The bandgap of CdTe can be tuned by changing the ratio of Cd to Te in the alloy. For example, adding selenium (Se) to CdTe results in a bandgap that is smaller than that of pure CdTe.