Solar Cells - Any Idea?

Solar panels have come into the light in this decade when it was widely available for the masses. And we've used it pretty well. But have you ever wondered how "solar cells" work? I'll be specifically talking about the Photo Voltaic Solar Cells which convert sunlight or light directly to electricity. And keep in mind one solar panel is made of several hundreds of solar cells.

An animation of a solar cell. [SciToons]

Basically, a solar cell is made of a semiconductor which has three layers, sandwiched together with the semiconductor Silicon, which is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust. And by the way, a semiconductor is a substance which does not conduct electricity as good as conductors but they don't insulate either. Its right in between of the two but its conducting capacity can be increased under some conditions. The first layer is a negative type or N-Type layer. This layer has extra electrons, which gives it a negative charge. The positive or P-Type layer, which is the third layer. Unlike the first layer, this layer has less electrons, which makes a 'Hole'. When sunlight strikes the first layer, an extra electron is knocked out of the first layer and moves to the negative terminal of the solar cell. First of all, electricity is nothing but flowing electrons. These moving electrons or "Flowing" electrons are your electricity. The moving electrons pass through the negative terminal into the negative wire and power your respective electrical appliances.

So, this is how solar cells work. Keep up with the notifications as you can log onto my website, to get notified when I post my next. Until that time, adiós.