| A photovoltaic solar power cell converts the | | | | A French scientist discovered how to do this in |
| energy in sunlight directly into electrical energy, ie | | | | the 19th century already and since then, |
| a voltage and current. Renewable Electrical power | | | | photovoltaic improvements, tax incentives and a |
| is provided by negatively charged electrons that | | | | rising industry have put pv energy in the reach of |
| run from the one location to another. | | | | any household that wants renewable power. |
| The scientific explanation can be resumed as | | | | A multicrystalline silicon solar cell averages a |
| follows: in metals electrons can travel easily and | | | | conversion efficiency of 13 to 16%, which means |
| therefore we call them conductors. Solar cells are | | | | that a solar panel of 1 meter by 1 meter (about 9 |
| made of semiconductors. The famous (and | | | | square feet) will be able to supply up to 100 |
| oldest) is the crystalline-silicon solar cell. | | | | Watts of power, generating between 80 to 150 |
| A feature of semiconductors is that compared | | | | Kwh of electricity each year. |
| with metals, which are good conductors, they | | | | In fact, you can make your own solar home |
| allow little electrons movement. Their special | | | | power source by building solar panels yourself for |
| feature is that with the absorption of light | | | | as little as 27$ a piece if you set your mind to it |
| (consisting of energy packets, or photons) | | | | and if you know how. There are numerous DIY |
| electrons are released, which then shift,leaving an | | | | guides available online that require but a small |
| empty place on a positively charged "hole". Such | | | | investment. The advantage of solar energy is that |
| electrons (or rather: the electron-hole pair) in fact | | | | it will not run out any time soon, that it is not |
| carry the energy of the photon in them and the | | | | polluting and that there is enough of it for |
| trick is in tapping that energy from the cell. | | | | everyone. |