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Photovoltaics: Putting the Sun’s Energy to Work for Us

The word photovoltaic can be broken up into two parts: photo = light; voltaic = electricity.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are little groupings of electrically connected and packaged sensors that can change sunlight to electricity. Today, photovoltaic cells are widely used to power things like calculators, satellites, traffic control systems, crop irrigations systems, housing, remote medical centers, and so much more. Let’s find out how.


To start with, PV cells are usually made of silicon that’s been supplemented with special impurities that will improve its ability to conduct electricity. The atoms inside the silicon, and the impurities are set up much like a hotel with rooms in long, side-by-side rows. For this example, think of a hotel that’s almost full but still has a few empty rooms left to fill.
When photons of sunlight hit the PV cell, they cause electrons in the silicon and the impurities to move in one direction into the next empty space between them—sort of like guests changing rooms when a new room opens up.
	As one electron moves, it creates an open space for another electron to move into, and so on. This flow of electrons provides what’s called an electric current. The area surrounding the electric current is an electric field. The electric field causes voltage, which is the pressure that keeps everything moving. Together, the current and the voltage provide power.
To make the power in the PV cell useful to us, all we have to do is connect it to something, like calculators or iPods – just like the Soldius solar charger does!

To learn more about the sun, solar radiation, solar power, photovoltaics, electricity and more, we recommend the following site: www.howstuffworks.com

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