Photovoltaics: What they are and where we can find them.
Tags: electricity, electrons, light, photovoltaic modules, power, PV cells, recharge, remote sensing, Solar Panels
Photovoltaics is a process used that converts light into electricity. This is done by using the solar cells that are in the photovoltaic modules, frequently electrically linked in solar photovoltaic arrays to transform energy from the sun into electricity. Photovoltaic solar panels take photons from the suns rays and convert the electrons into a higher states of energy, which is electricity.
The solar cells produce direct current electricity from light, which can used to power electrical equipment or to recharge things. Today the majority of photovoltaic modules are used for grid connected power generation. Which is very useful because that means that we can now use photovoltaic energy as a way of providing electricity for things that don’t require a high demand of energy such as road side emergency telephones and remote sensing. A great example of this is a calculator, have you ever noticed the strip of brown film /glass across the top of your calculator? This is because cells require protection from the environment and are usually concealed behind a glass sheet. When more energy is required than a single cell can deliver, cells are electrically connected together to form photovoltaic modules, or solar panels.
Although a single module is enough to power an emergency telephone, it would take a large amount of arrays of modules to power a house, the modules are very expensive however therefore they cannot compete with normal grid electricity which is un-environmentally friendly, but is still used by every body just because of its price.
How can we use photovoltaics?
We can use them in society to help save energy by using them on things like buildings: Photovoltaic solar panels can be put on a house roof.
This is becoming increasingly incorporated into new domestic and industrial buildings as a primary source of electricity. It is one of the fastest growing areas of the photvoltaic industry. We can do this our selves by purchasing roof tiles with integrated PV cells.
Arrays can also be retrofitted into existing buildings, meaning that we don’t have to build entirely new ones; we can simply adjust them, usually by simply fitting the tiles on the roof structure. If this is not possible an array can be situated separately from the building but connected by a cable to supply electricity for the building.
A mountainous area would be the best location for a building to use PV efficiently due to its good exposure to light, the same goes for wind powered sources too.
PV in transport.
The main transport that has used PV successfully is mainly space crafts. PV is hardly ever used for large motion vehicles, but it is being used a lot to provide other power for boats and cars. There have been recent advances in solar technology, which have proven the cell’s ability to create significant hydrogen production, making it one of the most prospectus energy sources for automobiles.
PV in products and devices:
As we already know, PV has been used to power calculators and other similar devices. Solar powered remote devices have seen increasing use recently, this is because of the growing cost of labour for connection of mains electricity. Specifically parking meters, emergency telephones and temporary traffic signs.
