solar cell

Also known as photovoltaic cell, Solar Photovoltaic, PV Solar, Solar panels, Solar array

electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect

AI overview

A solar cell is a device that converts light energy directly into electricity using a physical process called the photovoltaic effect. Solar cells matter because they enable us to generate electricity from sunlight, which is a clean and renewable energy source.

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Wikidata facts

Image: Silicon solar cell (PERC) front and back.jpg

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Commons gallery: Solar cell
Commons category: Solar cells
MCN code: 8541.40.32
time of discovery or invention: 1839-00-00

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Article

A solar cell, also known as a photovoltaic cell (PV cell), is an electronic device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by using the photovoltaic effect. It is a type of photoelectric cell, a device whose electrical characteristics (such as current, voltage, or resistance) vary when it is exposed to light. Individual solar cell devices are often the electrical building blocks of photovoltaic modules, known colloquially as "solar panels". Almost all commercial PV cells consist of crystalline silicon, with a market share of 95%. Cadmium telluride thin-film solar cells account for the remainder. The common single-junction silicon solar cell can produce a maximum open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 volts.

Photovoltaic cells may operate under sunlight or artificial light. In addition to producing solar power, they can be used as a photodetector (for example infrared detectors), to detect light or other electromagnetic radiation near the visible light range, as well as to measure light intensity.