<P> Solar cells are commonly encapsulated in a transparent polymeric resin to protect the delicate solar cell regions for coming into contact with moisture, dirt, ice, and other conditions expected either during operation or when used outdoors . The encapsulants are commonly made from polyvinyl acetate or glass . Most encapsulants are uniform in structure and composition, which increases light collection owing to light trapping from total internal reflection of light within the resin . Research has been conducted into structuring the encapsulant to provide further collection of light . Such encapsulants have included roughened glass surfaces, diffractive elements, prism arrays, air prisms, v - grooves, diffuse elements, as well as multi-directional waveguide arrays . Prism arrays show an overall 5% increase in the total solar energy conversion . Arrays of vertically aligned broadband waveguides provide a 10% increase at normal incidence, as well as wide - angle collection enhancement of up to 4% . Active coatings that convert infrared light into visible light have shown a 30% increase . Nanoparticle coatings inducing plasmonic light scattering increase wide - angle conversion efficiency up to 3% . Optical structures have also been created in encapsulation materials to effectively "cloak" the metallic front contacts . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (June 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (June 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Solar cells share some of the same processing and manufacturing techniques as other semiconductor devices . However, the stringent requirements for cleanliness and quality control of semiconductor fabrication are more relaxed for solar cells, lowering costs . </P>

What properties make a material suitable for use as the active layer in a solar cell