photovoltaic effect
Light makes current
The photovoltaic effect is the generation of electric voltage when light strikes certain materials, particularly semiconductors.
This phenomenon underlies solar panels and other devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity: Solar cells harness the photovoltaic effect to power homes and satellites.
The effect occurs when photons knock electrons loose from atoms, creating an electrical current.
Light-to-current converter
- solar panelLight-to-power converter
- solar arrayLinked photovoltaic modules
- concentratorDevice that intensifies beams
- junction boxEnclosed wire meeting point
Energy derived from sunlight
- electricity generationCreating electrical current industrially
- renewable energySelf-replenishing natural power
- solar farmGrid-scale photovoltaic installation
- solar calculatorBattery-free computing device
portable charger · net metering · kilowatt-hour · utility-scale · microinverter · energy storage
Liberated charge carrier couples
- photovoltageLight-generated electrical potential
- energy conversionChanging power between forms
- light absorptionMatter capturing radiant energy
- recombinationGenetic material exchange process
Metalloid in electronics
- cadmium tellurideSemiconductor for solar cells
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
- monocrystallineHaving unbroken crystal lattice
polycrystalline · doping · semiconductor · wafer · substrate · encapsulant · quantum dots
solar cell
Light-to-current converter
- solar panelLight-to-power converter
- solar arrayLinked photovoltaic modules
- concentratorDevice that intensifies beams
junction box · inverter · power output · efficiency rating · degradation
solar power
Energy derived from sunlight
- electricity generationCreating electrical current industrially
- renewable energySelf-replenishing natural power
- solar farmGrid-scale photovoltaic installation
solar calculator · portable charger · net metering · kilowatt-hour · utility-scale · microinverter · energy storage
electron-hole pairs
Liberated charge carrier couples
- photovoltageLight-generated electrical potential
- energy conversionChanging power between forms
- light absorptionMatter capturing radiant energy
silicon
Metalloid in electronics
- cadmium tellurideSemiconductor for solar cells
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
monocrystalline · polycrystalline · doping · semiconductor · wafer · substrate · encapsulant · quantum dots
- solar cellspower output, cadmium telluride, peak power, wattage, power density
- photoelectricsphotoemission, photoelectron, photodetector, electron emission, photosensitivity
photovoltaic effectpiezoelectric effect
Stress-induced charge generation
combustion · nuclear fission · chemical reaction · electromagnetic induction
photovoltaic effectelectroluminescence
Light emission from current
incandescence · phosphorescence · fluorescence · chemiluminescence
effect, photo, voltmeter, galvanic, photocell, photoelectric, voltaic, photovoltaic, photodiode