What do you need to produce a solar cell? First of all the production process is not all that different from computer chips except that the cleanliness rules are more relaxed. Raw materials required: silicon dioxide of either quartzite gravel or crushed quartz. The oxide needs to be removed to obtain pure silicon. Very pure. The purified silicon is doped with phosphorous and boron to provide it with the desired electrical properties. Next: anti-reflective coating, usually titanium dioxide.