What Is a Solar Cell?
A solar cell is a device that converts electromagnetic radiation from sunlight into electric current. This energy can then be used to generate power for commercial, industrial or residential use. Most solar cells are made from crystalline silicon. The crystalline structure provides an organized structure that makes the conversion of light into electricity more efficient. Textured front surfaces and anti-reflection coatings also improve efficiency by reducing internal losses. Photovoltaic effect When light with the right wavelength strikes the surface of a PV cell, it absorbs energy. This energy causes electrons in the semiconductor material to jump from their valence band to their conduction band. In the process, they leave behind holes in the valence band. This interplay of electrons and holes is what gives rise to a current in the solar cell. The efficiency of a solar cell depends on the incident irradiance G and the working temperature T of the p-n junction. The latter influe...