Photovoltaic (PV) devices, or solar cells, change sunlight directly into electricity. Individual photovoltaic cells can be grouped into panels or arrays of panels to power small devices such as calculators and watch batteries, as well as larger systems such as single-family homes and large power plants.
Photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductors such as crystalline silicon and various thin-film materials. Technological advances in these materials have enabled significant improvements in the conversion efficiency, reliability, and cost of photovoltaic power, but production costs from solar cells remain much higher than more conventional power generation options.
The main benefits of solar energy are the use of “free” sunlight and its minimal impact on the environment since photovoltaic cells do not produce air pollutants or carbon dioxide. The main limitations of solar energy are that the sun doesn’t always shine – so these systems are not always available to generate electricity when needed – and that large surface areas are required to generate significant amounts of energy.
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