The use of photovoltaic cells for direct energy conversion has been largely confined to space applications. However, the increasing need for alternate terrestrial energy sources, and ecological considerations has made solar energy and photo- voltaic conversion an active area of research.
Photovoltaic solar radiation conversion is the process of converting solar radiation energy into the electrical energy . The photovoltaic conversion of solar radiation takes place in solar cells made of semiconductor materials, which are of simple construction, have no mobile parts, are environmentally friendly, and have a long-life shelf.
Photovoltaic cells (made of semiconductor material) absorb photons, elementary particles present in sunlight. The absorbed photons excite the electrons present in the photovoltaic cell and the movement of these electrons generates an electric current. In solar thermal conversion, solar energy is stored in the form of thermal energy.
Direct Energy Conversion by Stanley W. Angrist, Allyn and Beacon, 1982. Solar photovoltaic electricity. When light is absorbed by matter, photons are given up to excite electrons to higher energy states within the material (the energy difference between the initial and final states is given by hν).
Sunlight can be directly converted into electricity in solar cells via the photovoltaic (PV) effect. This chapter examines the fundamental mechanisms behind this energy conversion process. PV conversion will only occur in a device exhibiting two necessary behaviors.
The process of converting solar energy into usable forms is called solar energy conversion. Solar technologies can deliver heat, cooling, natural lighting, electricity, and fuels for a host of applications.