Is Germanium Used In Solar Panels

Germanium is a rare semi metal and is used in semiconductors catalysis and optical apparatuses.

Is germanium used in solar panels.

Germanium was originally the semiconductor material most used. It is also used in the core of optical fiber cables. Fiber optics are thin strands of glass that are bundled together and used to send signals. Germanium is combined with oxygen for use in camera lenses and microscopy.

No germanium is not used in solar cells. But silicon is more abundant than germanium. 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. In fact the mars exploration rovers contain germanium in their solar cells.

It is also used in thermal imaging applications for military and fire fighting use. Germanium is also used to make solar panels that help convert sunlight into energy and for fiber optics. As an intrinsic semiconductor however germanium also is a powerful ingredient in highly efficient but expensive solar panels. Due to heightened interest in renewable energy sources the production of solar panels has increased in the production of solar panels germanium is doped to a silicon compound so as to change the energy gap matéo vélez et al 2012.

It can be used in solar panels.