What is Solar cells: Definition and 58 Discussions
A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, which is a physical and chemical phenomenon. It is a form of photoelectric cell, defined as a device whose electrical characteristics, such as current, voltage, or resistance, vary when exposed to light. Individual solar cell devices are often the electrical building blocks of photovoltaic modules, known colloquially as solar panels. The common single junction silicon solar cell can produce a maximum open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 volts.Solar cells are described as being photovoltaic, irrespective of whether the source is sunlight or an artificial light. In addition to producing energy, they can be used as a photodetector (for example infrared detectors), detecting light or other electromagnetic radiation near the visible range, or measuring light intensity.
The operation of a photovoltaic (PV) cell requires three basic attributes:
The absorption of light, generating either electron-hole pairs or excitons.
The separation of charge carriers of opposite types.
The separate extraction of those carriers to an external circuit.In contrast, a solar thermal collector supplies heat by absorbing sunlight, for the purpose of either direct heating or indirect electrical power generation from heat. A "photoelectrolytic cell" (photoelectrochemical cell), on the other hand, refers either to a type of photovoltaic cell (like that developed by Edmond Becquerel and modern dye-sensitized solar cells), or to a device that splits water directly into hydrogen and oxygen using only solar illumination.
Photovoltaic cells and solar collectors are the two means of producing solar power.
last part!
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QUESTION
There are two standard methods for the solar energy to be trapped and used domestically. One is to use solar cells, which convert the radiation energy to electrical energy. The other is to use a solar panel, which absorbs the solar radiation to heat water.
You...
I have an upcoming paper to write for my solar cells course. The question is something along the lines of, if we have a p-n junction which side should we shine the light on for efficiency? Should it shine on the p side or the n side? Efficiency at this point is defined loosely, and can range...
I am thinking I should study electrical engineering as well as materials engineering up to a bachelor level; is this a wise plan if I hope to design solar cells.
Also, how easily could I collaborate with others to do research in order to gain connections to get such a job, or at least related...
Hi,
I'm an A level student here in the UK, and have just handed in my rushed piece of coursework on how the incident angle of radiation effects the power produced by a solar cell.
Obviously I came to the conclusion that most was produced when the radiation was falling perpendicular but...
When power is generated in a solar cell, it is because of irradiance of radiation on a pn-junction. But in which part of the junction are the electron-hole pairs created? Is it just the depleted region or are they also created in the n- and p-type semiconductors?
An engineer's response...
Ok so right now the best solar cells get only about 20-30% of the energy available to it from the sun. This is because for each photon that knocks off an electron, any excess energy not needed to knock off the electron in the silicon is wasted.
And I read in howstuffworks.com that really good...
Hey I got the oppurtunity to work in a research lab that focused on CadTel solar cells this summer and learned a fair deal about them, I also intend to take a class on Photovoltaics in the spring but I was just wondering how people feel about the cadmium in cadtel and would love some more...
Does solar cell really only absorbs energy from sunlight? What about other sources of radiation such as thermal radiation?
Wouldn't it be great if there are some devices that can recycles energy produced in major cities and convert it into electrical energy?