Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity by using layered materials, including silicon, an anti-reflection coating, and a glass cover. Silicon is modified with elements like phosphorus and boron to create an electric current. An anti-reflection coating is necessary to increase efficiency. As technology advances, photovoltaic cells may provide free energy for homes and businesses.
Photovoltaic cells are devices that produce electricity directly from sunlight. Many photovoltaic cells put together form a solar panel or solar panel. These cells convert light into electricity by harnessing the energy created when photons from sunlight drive electrons into a higher energy state within the cell itself. Photovoltaic cells are composed of layered materials that include two types of silicon, an anti-reflection coating and a glass cover. The technology used to make solar panels continues to advance and could one day provide essentially free energy to power homes and businesses.
One of the most important parts of a photovoltaic cell is the material used as a semiconductor. Silicon is the most commonly used semiconductor, but other options are available for some applications, which may be less expensive than silicon. When light strikes the semiconductor, some of the light energy is absorbed, causing the release of electrons. The resulting electric current is what can be used as electricity and is collected by the metal contact grids on the top and bottom of the solar cells.
Silicon by itself is not a very good conductor of electricity. To be used in a solar cell, silicon must be modified, or “doped,” with other elements. Phosphorus and boron are the elements of choice for this purpose. A phosphorus-doped silicon layer can take advantage of the fact that the latter element has only one electron in its outermost electron shell. This is the electron that can be ejected by light energy.
In the other layer, the boron atoms have only three electrons in their outer shell, instead of the four that silicon has. This creates a point for the extra electrons to go to, and this movement of electrons is what makes the electric current. The two silicon layers also have opposite charges, which is what provides the voltage.
Silicon crystals are a naturally reflective material. When used in photovoltaic cells, they must have an anti-reflection coating placed on them, otherwise most of the solar energy that reaches the panel will be reflected without producing electricity. The anti-reflection coating is the single most important factor affecting the efficiency of a properly constructed solar panel. However, even with this coating, only a relatively small amount of light can be used to produce electricity. As technology advances, photovoltaic cells will likely increase in efficiency, making them more practical for everyday residential and industrial use.
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