| "Photovoltaic cells" are termed as "the fastest growing | | | | these photovoltaic cells work. Basically, what happens |
| technology in the world". They are one of the smartest | | | | is that when the photon particles from the sun strike |
| inventions made by man because they make use of | | | | the surface of silicon molecule or the plates that are |
| the energy that has been provided for "free" by | | | | made up of silicon-phosphorus or silicon-boron, there |
| nature. The sun will continue to shine for millions of | | | | are 2 opposite charges created because the photons |
| years to come and if efficient solar panels or | | | | excite the electrons. This excitation of the electrons |
| photovoltaic cells, then people can have free and clean | | | | causes the electron to be pushed to a higher level. |
| energy for many years to come. In this article, I aim to | | | | Eventually, the excited electrons get kicked out of the |
| write about all you need to know of photovoltaic cells. | | | | atom. Thus one plate has a "lack of electrons" and the |
| Basically, photovoltaic cells are constructed using | | | | other has excess electrons. This makes it possible for |
| various forms of the silicon element such as crystalline | | | | the conduction of electricity. The oppositely charged |
| and amorphous silicon. Also, considering the growing | | | | plates can have electrons flowing through them. This is |
| demand for the solar energy industry and the | | | | the working principle of a single solar cell or a |
| expected future growth, it has become imperative that | | | | photovoltaic cell. |
| the photovoltaic cells industry also keeps up in pace | | | | Thus when similar such solar cells or PV's are |
| with this growth. Therefore, there have been plenty of | | | | combined, it results in the formation of plants of higher |
| research and testing done to try and improve the | | | | electricity generating capacity. They are ideally used in |
| efficiency of photovoltaic cells. | | | | satellites where there are no power lines to provide |
| Most of the solar power stations or solar powered | | | | unlimited power supply to them. Also, they are used in |
| panels have capacities ranging anywhere from 20 - 50 | | | | a much smaller scale in smaller devices such as |
| MW. However, the solar power panels that are | | | | watches or calculators. |
| expected to be set up in the future are expected to | | | | One problem that people do face with solar power |
| have capacities of more than 100 MW. The problem | | | | panels and photovoltaic cells is that they produce DC |
| that most people have when setting up solar power | | | | current whereas the electrical appliances that we use |
| panels or solar power installations is that the initial | | | | in our homes need AC current. Thus the use of an |
| manufacturing costs can be quite high. But with all the | | | | inverter is also needed. |
| awareness being spread around about solar energy, | | | | Solar energy is also a big industry which has the |
| people have come to know that they can easily | | | | potential to create a lot of jobs. There has already |
| overcome these costs by waiting for a couple of | | | | been the creation of tens of thousands of jobs in |
| years after which they will have saved up enough | | | | places like Germany and India and the US, all three |
| money on electricity bills. | | | | countries using plenty of solar energy to convert it into |
| Also, it is the ideal source of energy to be used for | | | | electricity. |
| heating purposes. Solar heaters are on a rise in shops | | | | Other applications such as solar powered cars are |
| and more and more people are starting to purchase | | | | solar batter powered robots and gadgets are also on |
| them. | | | | the rise and in conclusion, I can say that this market |
| Let me try and explain to you in scientific terms how | | | | has huge potential to make it big. |