solar cells

Panels harvesting sunlight

Solar cells are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity.

They work through the photovoltaic effect—light striking semiconductor material (usually silicon) generates an electric current.

Solar cells are the building blocks of solar panels: The roof was covered with solar cells.

Also called photovoltaic cells.

photovoltaics

silicon

Metalloid in electronics

semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
monocrystallineHaving unbroken crystal lattice
polycrystallineHaving many crystal grains

thin-film · crystalline · amorphous · cadmium telluride · quantum dots · energy conversion · efficiency · photovoltaic effect · wafer · doping

electricity

current

Directed flow of charge

voltageElectrical potential difference
wattageElectrical output measure
amperageElectrical flow quantity

power · circuit · conductor · resistance · capacitor · direct current · alternating current · transformer · electrical load · peak power

systems

array

Ordered collection or display

inverterChanges DC to AC
battery storageRetained electrical energy capacity
off-gridWithout utility connections

standalone · net metering · tracker · microinverter · junction box · wiring · kilowatt-hour · power output · capacity

sunlight

irradiance

Incident power per area

photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
spectrumContinuous range of values
ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet

infrared · visible light · insolation · azimuth · diffuse light · absorption · reflection · shading · sun exposure · daylight hours

sustainability

renewable energy

Self-replenishing natural power

clean energyPower from sustainable sources
carbon footprint reductionLessening emissions from activities
green powerSustainably produced electricity

energy independence · sustainable development · environmental impact · recycling · e-waste · circular economy · decarbonization · net-zero · green building

Categories

clean energywind power, wind, wind turbines, renewables, hydropower
solar equipmentphotovoltaic panels, tracking systems
energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
green energywind power, renewables, wind turbine, hydropower, geothermal
Renewable Energywind power, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal plants, wind
20th century inventionsTV, radio, television, telephone, airplane

Opposites

energy source type

solar cellscoal power

Electricity from combusted sedimentary carbon

nuclear reactors · diesel generators · hydroelectric dams · coal-fired plants · nuclear power plants

temporal availability

solar cellsbaseload power

Minimum constant electrical output

nuclear power · nuclear power plants · coal plants · geothermal energy · battery storage

environmental impact

solar cellsdiesel generators

Fuel-powered electricity producers

oil refineries · smokestacks · dirty energy · internal combustion engines

Family

cell, solar, cells, insulation, solstice, solar panel, insulating, solar cell, solarize

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G