Capable of producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy, especially light.g
Photovoltaic means the generation of an electric voltage using light (=light particles = photons) A photovoltaic device (=solar cell) generates an electric voltage and - if an electric appliance, such as a water pump is connected - also electric current Both voltage and current is needed to give electric power
Converting light into electricity Photo means "light," voltaic means "electric" Often referred to as "PV" for short More commonly referred to as "solar electric "
power comes from harnessing solar energy with non-mechanical semiconductors that convert sunlight to direct current energy
refers to any device which produces free electrons when exposed to light When these electrons are properly gathered, a potential difference (voltage) may be produced by the device, for example, a solar cell produces approximately one half volt in full sun
Capable of generating a voltage as a result of exposure to visible or other radiation
the process of converting light directly into electricity using specially designed silicon cells
- Converting light into electricity Photo means "light" voltaic means "electric" Often referred to as "PV" for short More commonly referred to as "solar electric"
Capable of generating a voltage as a result of exposure to radiation Solar power generation systems use photovoltaic energy from the sun's radiation to produce electricity
Another term for solar electricity - "photo" for light and "voltaic" for voltage
Technology in which a semiconductor electrical junction device converts the radiant energy of sunlight directly and efficiently into electrical energy Most solar cells are made from single-crystal silicon (Source: Mintzer, 1992)
Process in which two dissimilar materials in close contact act as an electric cell when struck by light or other radiant energy. In crystals of certain elements, such as silicon and germanium, the electrons are usually not free to move from atom to atom. Light striking the crystal provides the energy needed to free electrons from their bound condition. These electrons can cross the junction between two dissimilar crystals more easily in one direction than another, so one side of the junction acquires a negative voltage with respect to the other. As long as light falls on the two materials, the photovoltaic battery can continue to provide voltage and current. The current can be used to measure the brightness of the light or as a source of power, as in a solar cell
solar cells that absorb sunlight and convert it directly into electricity and used to power a home's electrical systems Solar cells are thin rectangular wafers, typically made of silicon A four-inch silicon cell can produce about one watt of DC electricity A number of cells form a module or a module array
are solar cells that absorb sunlight and convert it directly into electricity Solar cells are very thin rectangular wafers, typically made of silicon A four-inch silicon cell can produce about one watt of DC electricity A number of cells form a module or a module array The more modules, the more electricity you can produce For homes connected to their utility grid, excess power flows back into the power lines for use elsewhere
Photovoltaics (PV's) are solid-state cells, typically made from silicon, that directly convert sunlight into electricity An active solar system component
Devices that use semiconductor materials - similar to those used in computer chips - to convert sunlight directly into electricity The electric current can either be used immediately, or it may be stored, as in a battery, for later use