Photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar cells, are semiconductor devices that convert solar energy directly into DC electric energy. In the 1950s, PV cells were initially used for space applications to power satellites, but in the 1970s, they began also to be used for terrestrial applications.
A photovoltaic (PV) cell is an energy harvesting technology, that converts solar energy into useful electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. There are several different types of PV cells which all use semiconductors to interact with incoming photons from the Sun in order to generate an electric current.
A photovoltaic cell harnesses solar energy; converts it to electrical energy by the principle of photovoltaic effect. It consists of a specially treated semiconductor layer for converting solar energy into electrical energy.
Acronym: PV cells Definition: semiconductor devices which generate electrical energy from light energy Alternative terms: solar cells, PV cells More specific terms: monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells, thin-film solar cells, organic solar cells, tandem cells, bifacial cells
A solar panel, consisting of many photovoltaic cells. A photovoltaic (PV) cell is an energy harvesting technology, that converts solar energy into useful electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect.
A PV cell is essentially a large-area p–n semiconductor junction that captures the energy from photons to create electrical energy. At the semiconductor level, the p–n junction creates a depletion region with an electric field in one direction.