Okay kiddo, do you know what solar cells are? They are devices that use sunlight to make electricity. Thin film solar cells are a type of solar cell that are made using a special process where really thin layers of materials are put on a surface.
Imagine building a sandwich. You start with a piece of bread then add ham, cheese, lettuce, and another bread. That is like how we make a thin film solar cell, just with different materials.
There are different types of thin film solar cells but let’s talk about the most common one called the “CIGS” solar cell. CIGS stands for copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. These are elements that are mixed together in a special way to create a thin film layer.
When sunlight falls on the CIGS layer, it creates tiny electrical charges. These charges then move through the layer to create electricity. Think of it like a bunch of little cars driving along a road; they all work together to create energy!
One of the coolest things about thin film solar cells is that they are very flexible. You know how paper can bend and flex? Well, you can do the same thing with thin film solar cells! That means they can be used on all sorts of surfaces like backpacks, cars, and even clothing.
So, there you have it! Thin film solar cells are super thin layers of materials that collect sunlight to make electricity. They are like little cars driving down a road, creating energy as they go, and are very flexible so we can use them on all sorts of things!