Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion

Introduction to Photovoltaic Solar energy conversion:

The term photovoltaic denotes the unbiased operating mode of a photodiode in which current through the device is entirely due to the incident light energy.  In this kind of power generation, light energy emitted by the sun is harnessed and is used for the generation of electrical power.   This photoelectric cell directly converts light energy into electrical energy.  In other words it is a light-powered battery.

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Working of a Photovoltaic Cell


A photoelectric cell is built from semiconductor technology.  Most commonly silicon is used in the formation of a semiconductor.  There are mainly two types of semiconductor.  One is ‘p’ type and the other is ‘n’ type correspond to ‘positive’ and ‘negative’.  ‘p’ type is abundant in holes whereas ‘n’ type is abundant in electrons.  To induce the voltage within a PV cell, two separate semiconductors are sandwiched together.  Although both materials are electrically neutral, sandwiching these together creates a p/n junction at their interface, which creates a voltage difference.  When the light from the sun hits the cell some of the solar energy is absorbed by the semiconductor material.  Using this energy electrons start moving from one terminal to the other.  But this charge separation is temporary as electron tends to return to its home terminal because of the attractive force between electrons and positive charges.  This can be avoided by using a diode.  A diode is a one- way conductor.  It allows the current to pass through it in only one direction.  When light strikes this cell all the electron tends toward the anode and positive charges towards the cathode and cannot return back because of the presence of diode.  The terminal at anode becomes negatively charged and the terminal at the cathode becomes positively charge.  In other words a voltage is developed between those two terminals.  This acts like a battery and is ready to use.

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Applications


Space vehicles.
Electronic devices such as calculators and street lamps.
Automobiles.
Houses.
Watches.
Advantages of solar electric power

It is abundant.
It is free.
It is cost effective.
It is clean.
Less or no maintenance.
Disadvantages solar electric power

High initial cost.
Requires more space for installation.
It is not available during night and is dependent on clouds present in sky.