Documentation PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS

An increasingly popular use of solar energy involves solar electric systems, are called as photovoltaic systems. Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity, and are potentially one of the most useful of the renewable energy technologies. The basic component of a pv system is a solar cell.

A solar cell is a solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting materials, such as silicon. Electrons are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to produce electricity. An array of solar cells converts solar energy into a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity. Groups of solar cells can be packaged into modules, panels and arrays to provide useful output voltages and currents to provide a specific power output. It consists of p-n junction diode in which electrons & holes are generated by the incident photons. When an external load is connected through the p-n junction device a current passes through the circuit & generates power when light is incident on it. Large area p-n junction is used for effective power generation.

 The amount of power generated by solar cells is determined by the amount of photons absorbed by it.

Several solar cells are mounted on a common panel connected in series or parallel for increasing the voltage or power respectively. This type of device is called Solar Panel. In this type of system the usual choice for energy storage is the lead-acid battery.

The number and type of batteries is dependent on the amount of energy storage needed. Typical module efficiencies ~12% Efficiency range ~6-30% 6% for amorphous silicon-based PV cells 20% for best commercial cells 30% for multi junction research cells Typical power of 120W/m2 The Efficiency can be increased by using an anti-reflection coating on the thin heavily doped surface. A large number of solar cell applications are currently in use and the potential for a great deal more uses still exist. Currently, solar cell applications fall into four basic categories: Utility grid connected solar cell applications supplement the energy needs in both residential and commercial capacities. Grid interactive systems act to charge a battery back-up systems for a building or structure.

Remote solar cell applications power buildings and structures that are far away from existing power grids. Consumer products applications include many products that were previously powered by batteries since it is both cleaner and renewable. Solar cells are very useful in powering space vehicles such as satellites and telescopes . They provide a very economical and reliable way of powering objects which would otherwise need expensive and cumbersome fuel sources.

Specially solar cell can be used in rural & desert areas where supply of electricity is very less. Gas stations could power their pumps through the use of solar cells. Anything that requires electricity could utilize photovoltaic energy as it will reduce electricity expense. It is also eco friendly as it does not produce any pollution that will make any harm to environment. It can also be used as photo-detectors to detect optical signals.