Solar energy to electricity conversion process
Solar energy to electricity conversion involves multiple steps and technologies, but one of the most popular is photovoltaic (PV) cells - commonly referred to as solar cells - is one such solution. Here is an overview of this process: Solar Radiation: Solar energy comes from solar radiation from the Sun's rays striking the Earth with photons (small packets of energy from the Sun). These photons then strike its surface. Absorption: Solar panels made with silicon-based solar cells are designed to absorb photons. Each photon carries energy, which, when hitting the PV cell, can dislodge an electron from an atom within its semiconductor material and displace it outward. Generation of Electron-Hole Pairs: When an energy-rich photon strikes the semiconductor material used in PV cells, it excites an electron enough for it to leave its normal location within an atom and move out, leaving behind a positive charge in its place - this process creates electron-hole pairs. Electric...