The semiconductor device that transforms solar light in electrical energy is termed as ‘Photovoltaic cell’, and the phenomenon is named as ‘Photovoltaic effect’. To size a solar PV array, cells are assembled in form of series-parallel configuration for requisite energy , , .
In solar power generation, solar cells play a core role in converting light energy directly into electrical energy. The biggest problem related to this method of power generation is variations in the amount of power generated, which depend on the weather and the length of the day and night.
The amount of sunlight that strikes the earth's surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world's energy consumption for a full year. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.
There are several ways to turn sunlight into usable energy, but almost all solar energy today comes from “solar photovoltaics (PV).” Solar PV relies on a natural property of “semiconductor” materials like silicon, which can absorb the energy from sunlight and turn it into electric current.
According to Solar Energy UK, solar panel performance falls by 0.34 percentage points for every degree that the temperature rises above 25°C. Plus, the longer days and clearer skies mean solar power generates much more electricity during the summer, even if their efficiency falls slightly. Is solar energy expensive to produce?
Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaic (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). The research has been underway since very beginning for the development of an affordable, in-exhaustive and clean solar energy technology for longer term benefits.