Photovoltaic energy
Photovoltaic energy is the name given to the electricity which is produced by the sun, this is converted into electricity using a photovoltaic cell also called as a solar cell. Usually made from silicon alloys, it is a mnonmechanical instrument.
The composition of sunlight is Photons, this is the name given to the atomic particles of energy which give us light. Different wavelength is the reason for these photons having different levels of energy in them. In a PV cell, these photons are absorbed and thus help us to provide energy. When a sufficient amount of photons are absorbed by the semiconductor inside the PV cell, electrons from the semiconductor are dislodged, and form electricity. The way a PV cell is made conduces the electrons to come to the surface and then flows as electricity.
The position that the electrum leaves blank forms holes and when all these electrons carrying the negative charge are attracted towards the front surface of the cell, there is a charge imbalance between the two and due to this the electricity flows in the cell just like the two terminals of a battery.
The photovoltaic cell is the basic component of a PV system, which can range from 1 cm to 10 cm. the production capacity of one cell is limited to 1 or 2 watts of electricity which is a very meager amount, thus these cells are packed and repacked into tighter, weather tight modules, each containing thousands of these cells which then give the needed electricity.
The solar powered wristwatches or calculators that we use everyday are in essence powered by the photovoltaic cells. Some other uses of this cell is to provide electricity to homes, pump water and other power communication equipment.
The uses of photovoltaic cell are many. it is useful because the conversion from light to electricity is so direct that there is no need for bulky machinery, also the cell is a self contained, non mechanical unit and thus extremely useful in any situation requiring small amounts of electricity.
