Solar Cells: Converting Sunlight into Electricity
What is a Solar Cell?
A solar cell, also known as a photovoltaic (PV) cell, is a semiconductor device that converts sunlight directly into electrical energy. It is made up of a semiconductor material, such as silicon, that has been treated to create a positive-negative junction. When light strikes the solar cell, it creates an electrical current that flows through the semiconductor material.
How Solar Cells Work
The basic principle behind solar cells is the photovoltaic effect. When light strikes a semiconductor material, it can knock electrons loose from their atoms. These free electrons can then be collected by an electrical contact and used to create an electrical current. The amount of electricity generated by a solar cell is determined by the size of the cell, the amount of light striking the cell, and the efficiency of the cell.
Solar cells are typically connected together in modules, which are then used to create solar panels. Solar panels can be used to power a wide variety of applications, from small electronics to large-scale power plants.