Photovoltaic Cell Working Principle and Types of Photovoltaic Cells:
The Photovoltaic Cell Working Principle or solar cell, produces an electrical current when connected to a load. Both silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) types are known for these purposes.
Multiple unit silicon photo-voltaic devices may be used for sensing light in applications such as reading punched cards in the data processing industry.
Gold-doped germanium cells with controlled spectral response characteristics act as photo-voltaic devices in the infra-red region of the spectrum and may be used as infra-red detectors.
The silicon solar cell converts the radiant energy of the sun into electrical power. The solar cell consists of a thin slice of single crystal P-type silicon, up to 2 cm2 into which a very thin (0 5 micron) layer of N-type material is diffused. The conversion efficiency depends on the spectral content and intensity of illumination.
Different Types of Photovoltaic Cells:
- Crystalline Silicon PV Cells (Monocrystalline)
- Thin-film or Polycrystalline PV Cells
- Organic Cells