Recent advances in solar cell technology: addressing technological challenges, scenarios, and environmental implications in the development of sustainable energy solutions

Abstract

The exponential surge in energy demand, driven by technological progress and evolving lifestyles, has precipitated a critical juncture. Energy sourcing now spans the spectrum from conventional to renewable alternatives. The limitations of conventional sources, entwined with their contributions to ecological degradation, deforestation, and the amplification of global warming and climate change, have come to the forefront. In response, renewable energy sources have surged into prominence, capturing both industrial and scientific attention. This comprehensive review navigates through the labyrinth of technological hurdles, breakthroughs, and heightened efficiencies that characterize diverse solar cell (SC) paradigms. Importantly, this exploration encompasses SC materials grouped under II–VI, III–V, and perovskite categories. While these materials bear utility, their intrinsic carcinogenic nature raises alarms regarding potential ecological and health impacts. The imperative to cultivate ecologically mindful alternatives reverberates as a persistent motif, underscored by a dedicated focus on the maturation of environmentally friendly carbon-based SCs. In this study, a meticulous comparative investigation of pivotal performance indicators such as V_oc, I_sc, fill-factor, and efficiency is meticulously conducted. This assessment spans an expansive array of materials and substrates utilized within the realm of SCs. In a broader context, the ultimate aspiration of this paper is to untie the intricate interaction of factors that govern the trajectory of solar cell performance. By doing so, it serves as an illuminating guidepost, steering the course of inquiry and advancement in the domain of sustainable energy technologies.