Question

Which metal is used to connect solar cells to solar panels?
a) Gold
b) Silver
c) Copper
d) Aluminium

Answer 1

Hint: Solar cells are used for converting energy from the sun directly into electricity. So, the metals used for connectivity should be conductive and some other properties should be there.

Complete answer:
From the given options we can say that “Silver is used for connecting solar cells to solar panels. Because it is a good conductor of electricity. There are several other metals which are used for this work.
The solar cells are covered with a thin conductive layer on the back, and a finger pattern on the front. These are mostly silver, though some are using aluminium. The cells are interconnected with thin strips between cells. Mostly used strips are tin-coated copper. These are soldered together.
Gold is not a good conductor of electricity so it is not used as a connecting metal of solar cells. Copper and aluminium is a good conductor but not used as connecting metals mostly silver is used. Copper is mostly used for making solar cells and solar panels not for connecting them.
Eventually, we will probably see all aluminium conductor based solar panels. For now, the silver and other materials are being recycled, so it’s not a huge problem.
Solar cells are made from silicon boules. These are polycrystalline structures that have the atomic structure of a single crystal. During this process, a seed crystal of silicon is dipped into melted polycrystalline silicon.

So, from the initial three points we can say that the correct answer is option “B”.

Note: We should note that several metals are used to connect solar cells to the solar panel. For soldering ultrasonic welding is also used.