Photovoltaic Module

AKA: PV module, solar-electric panel, solar-electric module Used In: Solar-electric systems both on and off the utility grid What It Is: A group of silicon cells or other materials that are specifically manufactured to generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. What It Aint: Electrical photography In 1839, a French physicist named Edmond Becquerel discovered that certain dissimilar materials, bonded together, would generate electricity when exposed to sunlightthe photovoltaic (foto-vl-tay-ik) effect. More than 100 years passed before U.S.-based Bell Laboratories developed a silicon solar cell that produced enough energy for use in practical applicationsmainly charging batteries used in remote communications systems. Today, companies large and small, both public and private, are manufacturers of PVs that go into grid-connected and stand-alone power systems. PV modules shouldnt be confused with solar thermal modules. Thermal panels use the suns heat to warm water or air. PV modules use light from the sun to generate electricity, and actually perform better when the ambient temperature is colder. The photovoltaic effect is based on the physics of using sunlight to force the flow of electrons through a material (typically silicon). The silicon is doped (treated) with elements that have one more or one less electron in the materials outer (valence) electron orbit compared to the base cell material. The majority of PV cells use phosphorus, which has five valence electrons, to create the negative side of the solar cell. Boron, which has three electrons in its outer valence orbit, is often used to create the positive side of the PV cell. When exposed to sunlight, an electrical current is created that forces electrons to the positive side of the cell, creating electricity that can be put to work. PV modules are a revolutionary energy source. They have no moving parts. In addition, PV is a modular energy source, meaning more panels can be added to the system as energy demand grows. In most locations, PV modules will generate all the energy it took to manufacture them in two to four years. Most PVs have 25 year warranties, and are expected to produce electricity for 50 years or more. Not many products have an operational lifespan that comes anywhere close to this. The result is emissions-free electricity, and no finite resource use for 50 years or more. No fossil fuel based electricity source can even begin to compete with PV when clean electricity, resource use, and durability are considered. Joe Schwartz joe.schwartz@homepower.com

Photovoltaic modules power homes, businesses, satellites you name itby using sunlight to generate electricity.

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home power 99 / february & march 2004