Gaining Hands-On Experience with Solid-State Photovoltaics through Constructing a Novel n-Si/CuS Solar Cell

A solid-state p–n junction photovoltaic cell can be fabricated in a common chemistry lab. It is prepared by coating a p-type copper sulfide film on an n-type silicon wafer via a simple chemical bath deposition method. The resulting p–n junction shows an obvious photovoltaic effect. This activity offers students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the technology of solid-state solar cells.