The diagram illustrates the conversion of sunlight into electricity via semiconductors, highlighting the key elements: layers of silicon, metal contacts, anti-reflective coating, and the electric field created by the junction between n-type and p-type silicon. The solar cell diagram showcases the working mechanism of a photovoltaic (PV) cell.
The theory of solar cells explains the process by which light energy in photons is converted into electric current when the photons strike a suitable semiconductor device.
A solar cell (also known as a photovoltaic cell or PV cell) is defined as an electrical device that converts light energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. A solar cell is basically a p-n junction diode.
... combinations to generate the required current and voltage. The building block of PV arrays is the solar cell, which is basically a p-n semiconductor junction that directly converts solar radiation into dc current using photovoltaic effect.
Chapter 4. The working principle of all today solar cells is essentially the same. It is based on the photovoltaic effect. In general, the photovoltaic effect means the generation of a potential difference at the junction of two different materials in response to visible or other radiation. The basic processes behind the photovoltaic effect are:
Mainly Solar cell is constructed using the crystalline Silicon that consists of a n-type semiconductor. This is the first or upper layer also known as emitter layer. The second layer is p-type semiconductor layer known as base layer. Both the layers are sandwiched and hence there is formation of p-n junction between them.
OverviewWorking explanationPhotogeneration of charge carriersThe p–n junctionCharge carrier separationConnection to an external loadEquivalent circuit of a solar cellSee also
The theory of solar cells explains the process by which light energy in photons is converted into electric current when the photons strike a suitable semiconductor device. The theoretical studies are of practical use because they predict the fundamental limits of a solar cell, and give guidance on the phenomena that contribute to losses and solar cell efficiency.