What is a solar cell?
A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is made of special materials called semiconductors, the most common semiconductor material which is used in the manufacture of a solar cell is known as silicon. When a light source strikes a solar cell, a portion of it is absorbed by the semiconductor material. The absorbed light energy knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely. See illustration Ordinarily pure silicon is a poor conductor of electricity so impurities such as phosphorus and boron are added to create what is known as a semi-conductor. The addition of these impurities not only allows the silicon to conduct electricity, but also acts to force electrons freed by light absorption to flow in a certain direction. This directional flow of electrons is also referred to as a current. By placing metal contacts on the top and bottom of the solar cell, it then becomes possible to draw that current off to use externally to perform work. What is a solar electric module ? A solar electric mo
A solar cell, also known as a photovoltaic cell, is the name given to an energy capturing device. A solar cell absorbs sunlight and transforms it into electricity by way of the photovoltaic effect. The solar cell has evolved dramatically since its creation, and in the past few years particularly large strides have been made in solar cell technology. A solar cell works, most simply, by absorbing sunlight. The photons from the light run into the solar cell and are absorbed by some sort of semiconducting material. Most contemporary solar cells are made out of silicon, although other substances are being experimented with as semiconductors to make solar cells more cost effective and environmentally friendly. Electrons are then freed from their host atom, and they move freely as electricity. From the solar cell this electricity then passes through a larger array, where it is turned into direct current (DC) electricity, which may then later be converted to alternating current (AC). The photo
A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device which generates electricity directly from visible light by means of the photovoltaic effect. In order to generate useful power, it is necessary to connect a number of cells together to form a solar panel, also known as a photovoltaic module. There is more about the the different types of solar cell here. The nominal output voltage of a solar panel is usually 12 Volts, and they may be used singly or wired together into an array. The number and size required is determined by the available light and the amount of energy required.
A solar cell is a kind of semiconductor device that takes advantage of the photo-voltaic effect, in which electricity is produced when the semiconductor’s PN junction is irradiated. When light strikes a solar cell, part of it is reflected, part of it is absorbed, and part of it passes through the cell. The absorbed light excites the bound electrons into a higher energy state, making them free electrons. These free electrons move about in all directions within the crystal, leaving holes where the electrons used to be, and the holes also shift around the crystal. The electrons (-) collect in the N-layer, the holes (+) in the P-layer. When the outside circuit is closed, electricity flows.
