Anika Edupuganti
September 2, 2022
Photovoltaic cells are on the cusp of clean solar power technology. PV cells have proven to be very useful, as they have contributed to solving problems like global warming caused by fossil fuel-based power generation. They had been utilized as a sustainable power source. Now, photovoltaic cells are continuing to advance, and their technology has been becoming more complex. For example, solar panels use photovoltaic cells to convert light into electricity, and the advancements of solar panels will continue to help us both now, and in the future,
Photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, convert sunlight into electricity, using a process called the photovoltaic effect. In a photovoltaic cell, there is something that is called a p-n junction, which is two semiconductors (p-type and n-type). The top part of the semiconductor is made up of the elements silicon, and phosphorus. Phosphorus contains more electrons than silicon, and that's how the top layer is able to move so fluidly, allowing it to be more conductive. This is the n-type of the semiconductor. The bottom layer is made up of silicon, and boron and in this layer boron contains less electrons than silicon. The bottom layer makes it harder for the electrons to move, and that is why it is less conductive. The p-type and the n-type are combined together to make the p-n junction. This is the p-type of the semiconductor. This creates an electric field. In this field, positively charged particles move in one direction (p-side) and negatively charged particles move in the other direction (n-side). The other component of the photovoltaic effect is light. Light is made up of photons, and when the photovoltaic cells and light make contact an electron from the semiconducting materials in the photovoltaic cell receives energy from the photons. This creates an electric current in the cell.
Photovoltaic power generation is a crucial part towards the improvement of our planet. Photovoltaic power generation allows for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The improvements, and advancements of photovoltaics can help reduce air pollution, as well as allow for the use of affordable energy everywhere. These advancements also allow for a significant amount of job opportunities in the solar industry. The International Renewable Energy Agency, predicts among their findings that there could potentially be more than 18 million people by 2050 with job opportunities in the solar industry.
The costs in relation to using solar cells has been decreasing in the past 20 years. The use of solar has been getting increasingly more affordable, and the costs for making devices which allow for us to better use our energy, while incorporating these cells are getting cheaper. In the future, humans are set to be more affiliated with solar cells, allowing for a more efficient, and affordable way to make use of light.
References
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Future of photovoltaic. IRENA â International Renewable Energy Agency. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://www.irena.org/publications/2019/Nov/Future-of-Solar-Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cell - Energy Education. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Photovoltaic_cell
SITNFlash. (2021, March 20). The Future of Solar Is Bright. Science in the News. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/future-solar-bright/
Solar Photovoltaic Cell Basics. Energy.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-photovoltaic-cell-basics
U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - independent statistics and analysis. Photovoltaics and electricity - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/photovoltaics-and-electricity.php#:~:text=Photovoltaic%20cells%20convert%20sunlight%20into,convert%20artificial%20light%20into%20electricity.
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