Could solar PV cells be made out of aluminum?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using aluminum as a material for photovoltaic solar cells, exploring alternatives to current materials like copper and rare Earth elements. Participants express curiosity about the properties of aluminum and its potential role in solar technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether aluminum could be a viable alternative for photovoltaic cells, considering the search for materials like copper and zinc.
  • One participant notes that photovoltaic cells are semiconductor-based and expresses doubt about aluminum's suitability since it is not a semiconductor.
  • There is a clarification that silicon, commonly used in solar cells, is not a rare Earth element and is abundant in the Earth's crust.
  • Another participant suggests that silicon could potentially replace rare Earth and copper components, but raises concerns about aluminum's effectiveness for contacts in solar panels due to temperature considerations.
  • Participants discuss the properties of rare Earth metals, noting their unusual characteristics that may not be replicated with silicon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that silicon is not a rare Earth element and is abundant, but there is no consensus on the feasibility of using aluminum in photovoltaic cells. Multiple competing views on the suitability of aluminum and silicon remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the dependence on definitions of semiconductor materials and the unresolved nature of the properties required for effective photovoltaic performance.

mustang19
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I don't know if this is the right forum but I'm curious. Companies are searching for alternatives like copper and zinc to make photovoltaic solar cells out of. Could aluminum ever work and be feasible, and replace current rare Earth components?
 
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I don't know how PV cells work, but I've heard that they are all semiconductor based. I don't think Aluminum is a semiconductor, so my guess is, no.
 
ps. I don't think silicon is a "rare earth" element.

Here, try this.
 
OmCheeto said:
ps. I don't think silicon is a "rare earth" element.

Here, try this.

Right. In fact, Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust (after oxygen).
 
Would it be possible to replace those rare Earth and copper components with silicon? From what I've seen solar panels need contacts, and aluminum may not work for those because of the temperatures involved.
 
phyzguy said:
OmCheeto said:
ps. I don't think silicon is a "rare earth" element.

Here, try this.

Right. In fact, Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust (after oxygen).
Rare Earth metals are not really rare, they were just discovered in rare minerals. Cer is more abundant than lead, and all of them are more abundant than gold.

Those metals have some unusual properties which allow transparent conductors. I don't know if that is possible with silicon (I doubt it).
 

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