solar cell

Solar cell
Market share
95%
5%
Photo Diode
Similar to the principles of photoelectric effect
When the sufficiently high energy photons fall on
or near the depleted area

Electrons are lifted from the Valence band and roll down into the Conduction band

Holes are swept into the Valence band
Photo Diode
Light with energies less than the smallest BG is not absorbed at all
and cannot contribute to the power output of the solar cell.
Light with energies greater than the widest BG will be indeed absorbed,
But this portion of the energy will quickly be lost via thermalization.
In conclusion, the sufficiently high energy can be useful.
Single Crystalline
Single Crystalline Solar cell consists of
a single junction
(single crystalline silicon photovoltaic device)
....

[pptx/pdf]solar cell