Is Germanium Used In Solar Panels

But silicon is more abundant than germanium.

Is germanium used in solar panels. In fact the mars exploration rovers contain germanium in their solar cells. Germanium was originally the semiconductor material most used. It is also used in airport screening and other applications to detect sources of radiation. Germanium substrates are used to form the base layer in multijunction solar cells which are the highest efficiency solar cells currently available according to the usgs.

Germanium is also used to make solar panels that help convert sunlight into energy and for fiber optics. It is also used in thermal imaging applications for military and fire fighting use. As an intrinsic semiconductor however germanium also is a powerful ingredient in highly efficient but expensive solar panels. No germanium is not used in solar cells.

It is also used in the core of optical fiber cables. It has a higher melting temperature for wider processing range a wider temperature range of operation and you get the added bonus of natural growth of silicon dioxide. Germanium is combined with oxygen for use in camera lenses and microscopy. Germanium is a rare semi metal and is used in semiconductors catalysis and optical apparatuses.

Scientists at the united states national renewable energy laboratory nrel and the korea advanced institute of science and technology have demonstrated a method of producing gallium arsenide.