yes sir I have an intention to build photo voltaic cell from scratch..
btw I am studying mechanical engineering..
that's why I don't have knowledge on this 
 

2 ways to harvest energy from sun.
Method 1
Materials:
Have huge amount of mirrors and a boiler + generator

Step:
i)  Aim all the mirrors/reflector at one spot(towards the boiler tank which have water)
ii) Water will boil and create steam and move generator.
iii) Generator produce electricity
Method 2
Materials:
Solar cell, Wire and battery

Step:
i)  Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting materials, such as silicon.
ii)  Electrons (negatively charged) are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to       
produce electricity.
iii) Due to the special composition of solar cells, the electrons are only allowed to move in a single direction.
iv) An array of solar cells converts solar energy into a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity

for fun