Solar Cells
Convert Sunlight into Electricity

Solar Cells - Solar Panel - Solar Array

Solar cells are the basic components of any active system used to convert sunlight or solar energy into electric energy, without any mechanical means.

They are also called photovoltaic cells, as they rely on the photovoltaic effect to function. They are light in weight, some are stiff and easy breakable while others are flexible.

They are made out of special materials called semiconductors, typically silicon. They are typically stacked with other layers made of transparent or semi-transparent materials.

Usually they are arranged in rows and columns on large flat sheet to constitute solar panels , which can be installed on rooftops or large fields.

Connecting solar panels electrically together will form what is called a solar array.

A little History of the Photovoltaic Cell

The photovoltaic effect was first discovered in 1839 by A.E.Becquerel a French physicist. But Charles Fritts was the first to built one in 1883.

Aleksandr Stoletov a Russian physicist was the first to built one that rely on the photoelectric effect. Heinrich Hertz discovered the photoelectric effect in 1887.

In 1946 it was Russell Ohl who took out a patent for the junction semiconductor PV-cell. Many progress has been made in the past years to the cells and research are still in progress today looking for ways to reduce their physical size in proportion to their capacity.

Some Uses For The PV-Cells

PV-Cells stands for PhotoVoltaic Cells. Today, thousands of homes and businesses are powered with individual PV-systems. Large solar power plants have been built. PV-cells were being used to power space satellites and smaller items like calculators and watches.

Photovoltaic production has been increasing by an average of more than 20 percent each year since 2002, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology.

Converting solar energy to electric energy is still an expensive doing for the average people. It can be accomplished by building in steps according to your budget.

Set up your plan in accordance with your budget while your budget will increase as you build due to the production of the ones already built.