Abstract:
Solar cells convert the sun's energy into electricity. The
flow of current in the solar panel generates power which can be used
to drive a load. Currently, solar panels have an efficiency of up to 18
percent. Most of the solar panels are made from silicon crystals.
Silicon is used due to its availability in sand and surface soils. The
production of solar cells using silicon requires highly clean
environment and pure silicon. This results to an expensive production
process and frequent maintenance. Solar cells used in Kenya are
imported from other countries. This research proposes the
replacement of silicon in the solar cell with lead selenium
nanocrystals, which can be produced locally. The nanocrystals are
obtained from reaction solutions and separating them using a
centrifuge machine. A solar cell is then fabricated by laying the lead
selenium nanocrystal on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition.
