What is a Photovoltaic Cell?

It consists of directly transforming the luminance energy of the Sun into electrical energy by the photovoltaic cells.

The photovoltaic cell, an element responsible of turning the solar energy into electricity, is based on a physical phenomenon denominated photovoltaic effect, that consists of the production of an electromotive force by action of a luminous flux that affects the surface of this cell. The more common photovoltaic cell consists mainly of a thin plate of semi conducting material composed by silicon with a certain degree of purity, when exposed to solar light it absorbs photons of light with sufficient energy to generate the “jump of electrons” , moving them of its original position towards the illuminated surface. When following these electrons with their negative load (n) they originate the appearance of holes or lagoons with positive charges (p).

As the electrons tend to concentrate themselves on the side of the plate where the sunlight effects, an electric field with two differentiated zones is generated: the refusal, or the illuminated face where the electrons are and the positive one in the opposite face, where there are these holes or lagoons. If both zones connect with electricity conductors added to each face of the plate, the electric unbalance originates an electromotive force or difference of potential, creating an electrical current to equal the loads. That current, obviously continuous, is generated in a constant process while the solar light acts on the sensible face of the sheet.

Approximately, each one of the photocells provides 0.5 volt, which can be connected in series or in parallel.

If they are connected in series, they increase the voltage since the individual voltage of each one of the solar photocells is added. If they are connected in parallel the voltage will remain constant as the one of a cell, but it will increase the amperage.

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