photovoltaic cells
Sunlight to electricity
Photovoltaic cells convert light directly into electricity.
They're the individual units that make up solar panels—semiconductor wafers that generate electrical current when photons knock electrons loose from atoms.
The roof was covered with photovoltaic cells.
Often shortened to PV cells in technical contexts.
Partial electrical conductor
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- moduleIndependent functional component
- panelDistinct flat section
- arrayOrdered collection or display
diode · wafer · thin-film · monocrystalline · polycrystalline · cadmium telluride · doping · junction
Changes DC to AC
- battery storageRetained electrical energy capacity
- off-gridWithout utility connections
- net meteringSelling power back home
- mountingSteadily increasing in degree
racking · tracker · microinverter · disconnect · conduit · wiring · monitoring · string
Productive without waste
- wattageElectrical output measure
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- currentDirected flow of charge
- power outputEnergy delivered per time
Capable of restoration
- clean energyPower from sustainable sources
- zero emissionsNo pollutants produced
- carbon footprintTotal greenhouse gases produced
- green powerSustainably produced electricity
recycling · end-of-life · decarbonization · energy transition · energy independence · climate mitigation
Radiance from our star
- irradianceIncident power per area
- insolationSolar radiation received
- solar spectrumSun's electromagnetic wavelength distribution
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
array · diode · wafer · thin-film · monocrystalline · polycrystalline · cadmium telluride · doping · junction · substrate
inverter
Changes DC to AC
- battery storageRetained electrical energy capacity
- off-gridWithout utility connections
- net meteringSelling power back home
mounting · racking · tracker · microinverter · disconnect · conduit · wiring · monitoring · string
efficiency
Productive without waste
renewable
Capable of restoration
- clean energyPower from sustainable sources
- zero emissionsNo pollutants produced
- carbon footprintTotal greenhouse gases produced
green power · recycling · end-of-life · decarbonization · energy transition · energy independence · climate mitigation
sunlight
Radiance from our star
- irradianceIncident power per area
- insolationSolar radiation received
- solar spectrumSun's electromagnetic wavelength distribution
photon · absorption · solar noon · angle of incidence · azimuth
photovoltaic cellsdiesel generators
Fuel-powered electricity producers
coal plants · nuclear reactors · nuclear power plants · combustion engines
photo, solar cell, photoelectric, voltaic, photovoltaic, photodiode, photosensitive, photovoltaics, photosensitivity