Spectral Response
How efficiently a solar cell converts light at different wavelengths. Monocrystalline cells respond best to near-infrared; thin-film and perovskite cells capture a broader spectrum.
Why It Matters
Spectral response explains why some panels perform better in cloudy or diffuse light conditions. Tandem cells combining two spectral ranges may achieve 30%+ efficiency.
Related Terms
Monocrystalline Silicon
Solar cells made from a single continuous crystal of silicon. They offer the highest efficiency (20-24%) among mainstream technologies and are identified by their uniform dark appearance.
Tandem Solar Cell
A multi-junction solar cell that stacks two or more absorber layers to capture different parts of the solar spectrum. Perovskite-silicon tandems are the most promising near-term technology.
Perovskite Solar Cell
An emerging photovoltaic technology using perovskite-structured compounds (typically methylammonium lead halides) as the light-absorbing layer. Lab efficiencies exceed 26%.