A solar cell is a device which changes sunlight into electricity. More technically, a solar cell can also be referred to as a photovoltaic cell.The term “photo” derives from the Greek word for “light,” and the term “voltaic” comes from the word “volt” which means “electrical force.” A “cell” is a small receptacle or container containing electrodes which generate power.Thus, a photovoltaic cell is a container that creates electric force, through light.Whereas a solar cell can generate electricity from any light source, its intended use is the collection of solar energy from the sun.- How a Solar Cell WorksThe solar cell works as follows:Photons (which are particles of light in sun rays) hit the surface of the solar cell and are absorbed a semiconductor, such as silicon.These photons (bits of sunlight) knock electrons loose from the atoms inside the semiconductor. The photons then push the electrons along, leaving a “gap” in the atom. Another electron is then pulled from an adjacent atom to fill the gap. And so an electrical flow is generated.The simplicity of this is that one atom has an extra electron, and the other atom is missing one. This is referred to as a “difference in potential.” […]

Full Article At: KnowHow-Now.com Articles

Bookmark to: