Working principles of solar and other energy conversion cells

Abstract

Renewable energy is the key to creating a clean energy future for the world. Energy conversion cells play important roles in realizing this goal. In this review article, the authors addressed the issues regarding energy conversion cells in a fresh and broad perspective. The authors checked different energy conversion paths from solar energy to electrical energy and showed a simple picture of energy conversion. The authors then went through the working principles of solar cells in terms of charge carrier generation, separation and transport/collection. The comparison between different energy conversion cells, including solar, thermoelectric, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical cells by exploring the working principles of each kind of these cells was studied. It was shown that the working principles behind these cells are quite similar, following a simple energy conversion picture. The aim of this article is to explore the close connections between different energy conversion cells and the essence behind.