The Basics of Solar Cell

A solar cell, other termed as the photovoltaic cell is a useful device that can convert sunlight instantly into electricity by the mechanism called the photovoltaic effect.

There are cases that the term solar cell denotes devices that are specified to capture energy from the sunlight, and the term photovoltaic cell is applied when the energy source is unspecified.

Fabricated assemblies of these cells are utilized in making solar panels, photovoltaic arrays or solar modules.

Photovoltaic, in its strict sense is a field of research and technology that is related to the practical application of solar cells in bringing forth electricity for consumer use. Solar energy or solar power is then the energy that is generated in this means.

These photovoltaic cells are commonly connected electrically and capsulized in the form of a module.

These modules are made up of sheet of glass located in the front side, facing the sun to allow the light to pass and at the same time has a protector from unwanted elements like the rain, snow and hail.

The connection of these photovoltaic cells is series with the modules causing an additional voltage. On the other hand, a parallel connection to the module will produce a higher current. In result, modules are reciprocally connected in parallel or in series or both, creating an array to achieve the target peak current and DC voltage.

Photovoltaic cells are then divided into three generations that shows the arrangement of the degree of its importance. Recently, the research is going on and at the same time these three generations are operating, with the first generation technologies almost constituted 89.6% of 2007 commercial production.

Although, solar cells had many advantages, they have also negative effects and disadvantages. One of the major drawbacks in this kind of technology is the absolute volume of land that is needed to put up the solar power plant.

Most of the time, a large area is needed, for instance, the 550MW California plant calls for 9.5 square miles land area for its house operation. There are many areas in the country that could not find this large area of unused land or just set up together a large number of ground pieces needed for this kind of project.

Depending upon the cost of the local electric rates and installation, the pay off can be 14 to 20 years. Although, solar modules have 20 years warranty, the investment will be lost if you decided to move.

Moreover, solar electricity is more costly compared to the current rates. As soon as the PV system is installed for use, it will generate electricity with similar cost than the current until about 12 years when the inverter demands for replacement.

Recent utility rates have made in greater amount every year and with the larger pressure on the reduction of carbon, the rate will sharply increase. In the long run, this increase can easily compensate the installation cost but the year it takes for the pay off is too long for most of the people.

Solar electricity will not be usable at night and is less obtainable in cloudy weather conditions from the established silicon based technologies.

Hence, there must be complimentary power system or storage like the germanium in the thin film solar cells of amorphous silicon germanium composition supplies residual power bringing forth the capacity at nighttime utilizing the background infrared radiation.

Luckily, most of the consumption is on the daytime, so there is no need of storing solar as long as its energy will cater the total consumption.

During the conversion of solar cells from DC to AC with the aid of a grid tie inverter, obtains an energy loss of about 4 to 12%.