Photovoltaic (PV) materials and devices convert sunlight into electrical energy. What is photovoltaic (PV) technology and how does it work? PV materials and devices convert sunlight into electrical energy. A single PV device is known as a cell. An individual PV cell is usually small, typically producing about 1 or 2 watts of power.
Photovoltaic technology, often abbreviated as PV, represents a revolutionary method of harnessing solar energy and converting it into electricity. At its core, PV relies on the principle of the photovoltaic effect, where certain materials generate an electric current when exposed to sunlight.
This report clearly points out that solar PV is one of the strategic renewable technologies needed to realise the global energy transformation in line with the Paris climate goals. The technology is available now, could be deployed quickly at a large scale and is cost-competitive.
At the heart of its efficacy lies the efficiency of PV materials, which dictates the extent to which sunlight is transformed into electricity. Over the last decade, substantial advancements in PV efficiency have propelled the widespread adoption of solar PV technology on a global scale.
Today, photovoltaic technology is a major industry with applications in a wide range of sectors, including residential and commercial buildings, transportation, and power generation . The continued growth of the industry is expected to play a key role in the transition to a more sustainable energy system .
Through continual innovation in PV technology thereon, driven by energy poverty, global competition, and the need to curb greenhouse gas emission, presently PV technology has become techno commercially most attractive technology for power generation , and has become an inseparable part of the global society.