Solar technology is quickly gaining ground as an alternative to fuel and
electricity. Cars, gadgets, satellites and even home electrical systems are now
powered by energy-efficient and environment-friendly solar batteries. How exactly does this
technology work?
Solar batteries are also called photovoltaic (PV) cells, a scientific
name that can help you better define its mechanics. Photo means light and
voltaic, named after the physicist Alessandro Volta, refers to electricity. It
follows then that photovoltaic cells transform light energy from the sun into
useable electricity.
These cells are made of semiconductors, silicon being the most commonly
used. It is this material that absorbs most of the light energy for conversion
to power. The absorption knocks certain electrons loose. The electrical fields
within the cell capture these electrons and force them to flow in a streamlined
manner at a certain direction. This flow of electrons is now the electrical
current which can be drawn out for external use by affixing metal components at
the top and bottom of the PV cell.
The total power of the
electrical output will depend on the strength of this current along with the
cell's voltage which is based on the
electrical fields present in the structure. This is why there are PV cells capable
of powering only a simple calculator while others are strong enough to power a
house.
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