photovoltaics
Light-to-electricity conversion
Photovoltaics is the technology of converting light into electricity using semiconductor materials.
Solar panels are the most familiar application—sunlight strikes a photovoltaic cell, exciting electrons and generating current.
The field encompasses both the science and the industry: She works in photovoltaics, photovoltaic efficiency has improved dramatically.
Often shortened to PV.
Energy derived from sunlight
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
- wattUnit measuring power
- kilowattThousand watts of power
- megawattMillion-watt unit
off-grid · net metering · solar farm · rooftop solar · utility-scale · irradiance · insolation · battery storage
Light-to-power converter
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- waferThin crisp disk
- moduleIndependent functional component
array · inverter · junction · thin-film · monocrystalline · polycrystalline · cadmium telluride · doping
Productive without waste
- conversionAct of changing states
- degradationDecline in condition
- outputWhat something generates
- shadingDepicting light and darkness
Self-replenishing natural power
- clean energyPower from sustainable sources
- sustainabilityCapacity to endure indefinitely
- carbon-freeProducing no CO2
- emissions reductionLowering pollutant output
climate · green power · hydropower · wind power · biomass · decarbonization · energy transition
solar power
Energy derived from sunlight
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
- wattUnit measuring power
- kilowattThousand watts of power
megawatt · off-grid · net metering · solar farm · rooftop solar · utility-scale · irradiance · insolation · battery storage
solar panel
Light-to-power converter
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- waferThin crisp disk
module · array · inverter · junction · thin-film · monocrystalline · polycrystalline · cadmium telluride · doping · electrode
efficiency
Productive without waste
- conversionAct of changing states
- degradationDecline in condition
- outputWhat something generates
shading · soiling · payback period · warranty · lifespan
renewable energy
Self-replenishing natural power
- clean energyPower from sustainable sources
- sustainabilityCapacity to endure indefinitely
- carbon-freeProducing no CO2
emissions reduction · climate · green power · hydropower · wind power · biomass · decarbonization · energy transition
- clean energysolar power, solar, wind power, wind, solar panels
- eco-friendlysustainable, fair trade, green, biodegradable, recyclable
- green energywind power, solar power, renewables, solar farm, solar panel
- Renewable Energysolar power, wind power, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower
- power systemsgenerators, turbines, power plants, power stations, electricity
- renewablessolar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal, biomass
photovoltaicswind power
Turbine-generated renewable electricity
hydropower · nuclear power · tidal power · wave energy · coal power
photovoltaicsfossil fuels
Combustible prehistoric organic deposits
coal power · dirty energy · coal-fired power · natural gas · petroleum
- photovoltaic effectLight producing electrical current
- photovoltaic panelsLight-to-current conversion devices
- photovoltaic cellLight-to-electricity semiconductor device