Of the many solar energy technologies, Photovoltaics (PV) show the most promise for worldwide acceptance and applications. PV or solar cells have no moving parts, are simple in design, are environmentally friendly, need very little maintenance, and silently produce electricity when they are exposed to light.
Solar cells operate in accordance with the photovoltaic effect, (“photo-light, voltaic- -electricity). Solar cells are usually made of silicon. When a photon (particles of sunlight) strikes a molecule within the silicon cell, an electron is knocked free. An electrical field causes this free electron to move to one side of the cell. The accumulated effect of millions of this interaction generates electricity.
Solar modules or solar panels are series of solar cells that are wired together into strings. These strings are enclosed in self-contained glass unites to protect from harsh weather. Modules are connected by cables that link them to the inverter. The inverter converts the direct current DC into alternating current (AC).
In order to measure the level of efficiency of a solar panel, the panel’s ability to transform sunlight into electricity must be measured. Not all sunlight works efficiently to create electricity. Sunlight of certain energies perform the best, and much is reflected or absorbed by the material of the cell. A typical commercial solar cell has an average efficiency of fifteen percent.
The efficiency level dictates the size of modules needed to produce the desired amount of electricity. Low efficiencies mean larger arrays of solar panels are needed. In order to reduce the initial cost of using solar modules this area of photovoltaics solar energy needs improvement.
Improving solar cell (photovoltaics) efficiencies while keeping costs down per cell is a primary goal of the PV industry. Research and development continues to address this important aspect of using photovoltaic solar power.
Also find out more about PV systems and photovoltaic energy
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