A photovoltaic cell harnesses solar energy;converts itto electrical energy by the principle of photovoltaic effect. It consists of a specially treated semiconductor layer for converting solar energy into electrical energy. Contact online >>
A photovoltaic cell harnesses solar energy;converts itto electrical energy by the principle of photovoltaic effect. It consists of a specially treated semiconductor layer for converting solar energy into electrical energy.
In this article, you will learn about the working mechanism of photovoltaic cells along with its advantages, disadvantages and applications.
A photovoltaic cell is a type of PN junction diode which harnesses light energy into electricity. They generally work in a reverse bias condition. It is analogous to a solar cell since they belong to similar working principles but have distinct differences.
The diagram above is a cross-section of a photovoltaic cell taken from a solar panel which is also a type of photovoltaic cell.
The cell consists of each a P-type and an N-type material and a PN junction diode sandwiched in between. This layer is responsible for trapping solar energy which converts into electricity. The N-type layer is also known as the first layer or the emitter layer. The P-type layer is the base layer and the intermediate layer between the two is the PN junction diode. The surface of the cell is covered by an anti-reflective material which traps the light energy and avoids any loss of energy. The bottom layer, the last one may completely be covered by the material in which the conductor is made up of.
This is the working of a photovoltaic cell.
Here is the difference between solar cell and photovoltaic cell in tabular format:
A device that converts sunlight directly into electricity
A device that converts light energy into electricity using the photovoltaic effect
Any light source (not necessarily sunlight)
Generate electric power from sunlight, solar calculators, solar panels
Generate electric power from sunlight as well as artificial light, solar photovoltaic modules, building integrated photovoltaics
Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell, Thin film photovoltaic cell, Dye-sensitized solar cell
Following are the advantages and disadvantages of a photovoltaic cell.
Some main applications of photovoltaic cells are as follows.
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Did you know that there are some devices that convert solar energy into electricity directly using cells. These cells are not the energy storage devices like primary cells or secondary batteries, they are called Solar cells. Solar cells are devices that convert light energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. They are also referred to as photovoltaic cells and are primarily manufactured using the semiconductor material silicon.
This article focuses on Solar cells. We will discuss its construction, working, and I V Characteristics. The information in this article helps you extensively in your SSC JE Electrical and GATE Electrical preparation journey.
Solar cells are a type of photoelectric device that undergo changes in their electrical properties, such as voltage, current, or resistance, upon exposure to light. Solar panels, which are modules made by combining multiple solar cells, are commonly used.
A solar cell diagram visually represents the components and working principle of a photovoltaic (PV) cell. The diagram illustrates the conversion of sunlight into electricity via semiconductors, highlighting the key elements: layers of silicon, metal contacts, anti-reflective coating, and the electric field created by the junction between n-type and p-type silicon.
The solar cell diagram showcases the working mechanism of a photovoltaic (PV) cell. Sunlight interacts with silicon layers, generating electron-hole pairs. These pairs, driven by the electric field between n-type and p-type silicon, travel to metal contacts, creating a current that is harnessed as electricity. The anti-reflective coating maximizes light absorption, boosting efficiency.
When light with an energy greater than its bandgap is impacted on a solar cell, it is a p-n junction that produces an electromagnetic field (EMF).
A 0.3-m-thick layer of n-Si is generated on one side of a 300-m-long p-Si wafer using the diffusion technique. Metal contact is coated on the backside of p-Si (back contact). Metal finger electrodes or a metallic grid are placed on top of the n-Si layer. As a front contact, this works.
Solar panels consist of silicon, which is a type of semiconductor. There are two types of semiconductors used in solar cells: n-type and p-type. The lower layer of the solar panel is doped with fewer electrons and more holes, making it a p-type semiconductor. On the other hand, the top layer is doped in the opposite way, with slightly more electrons, also known as n-type semiconductor silicon.
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