Recent Developments in Solar Cells: An In-Depth Review of Materials and Technologies

Solar energy has emerged as one of the most abundant and sustainable sources of power, with solar cells (photovoltaic cells) at the core of this transformation. These cells convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, and advancements in their technologies and materials have significantly enhanced their efficiency. This review explores the key solar cell technologies, including silicon-based, thin-film, organic, and perovskite solar cells, highlighting the scientific principles, material properties, efficiency improvements, and challenges in the industry. Furthermore, it delves into the future prospects of solar cells, focusing on emerging technologies, scalability, and sustainability, which could drive the next generation of solar power applications.