 
Copper was one of the earliest materials used for solar cells.
Yet, copper compounds are still being used and continue to be
investigated for today's more advanced solar cell technologies.
A copper-copper oxide metal-semiconductor junction solar cell
was first demonstrated in 1927. By the 1930s, copper oxide solar
cells were used in many light sensitive devices, including photometers
for photography. These early solar cells, however, had very
low energy conversion efficiencies.
Today, researchers are continuing to investigate semiconductor
materials that are efficient absorbers of visible electromagnetic
radiation. In addition to the more popular semiconductor materials
often used in solar cells (e.g., silicon, gallium arsenide,
and indium phosphide), a copper semiconductor called copper
indium selenide has found use in some solar cell applications
and shows promise for the future.
Cuprous sulfide is another copper compound that is used in solar
cells. |
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