• Photovoltaics, known as PV, is a technology that directly converts sun light
into electricity.
• PV uses solar cells packaged in photovoltaic modules, which are generally
electrically connected in multiples as solar photovoltaic arrays to transform
energy from the sun into electric power.
• The main material used in the construction of solar cells is silicon –
an elementary semiconductor. Silicon is the second most abundant element in
the earth’s crust after oxygen.
• A photovoltaic cell is made of thin slices of two slightly different types
of silicon. One, treated with tiny quantities of boron, is called P-type (P
for positive) and contains positively charged 'holes', which are missing electrons.
The other type of silicon is impregnated with small amounts of phosphorus
and is called N-type (N for negative). It contains extra electrons. Placing
these two thin P and N materials together produces a junction which, when
exposed to light, produces a movement of electrons – and that constitutes
an electric current.
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