What is Solar Voltaic Cell or Solar Cell? – Advantages, Applications | New Topic [2024]

In this note, we are going to learn about Solar Voltaic Cell or Solar Cell. Also its Advantages and Applications as well. Welcome to Poly Notes Hub, a leading site for Polytechnic and Engineering Students for Engineering Notes.

Author Name: Arun Paul.

What is Solar Voltaic Cell or Solar Cell?

Using the photovoltaic effect, a solar voltaic cell, also known as a solar cell, is a device that directly transforms light energy into electricity. In this process, voltage and current are produced when specific materials are exposed to light. Semiconductor materials, like silicon, are commonly used in these cells after undergoing certain processing to create a p-n junction. A flow of electricity is produced when photons, or light particles, collide with the these cell’s surface because they can dislodge electrons from semiconductor material atoms.

After that, this electricity can be stored in batteries for later use or used to power electrical gadgets. It is a vital part of solar panels, which are used to capture solar energy for a variety of uses, such as producing electricity for residences, companies, and other uses.

Working Principle of Solar Cell

Through the process of photovoltaic effect, these cells transform sunlight into electrical power. The semiconductor material in the solar cell produces electron hole pairs when sunlight strikes it. Current flows because of the internal electric field that divides the electrons and holes. This current is collected by metal contacts and can be stored for later use or used to power gadgets.

Advantages

Below we listed some advantages of Solar-Voltaic Cell –

1. It is a renewable energy source.
2. It does not produces any green house gases.
3. It reduces the dependency in other fuels.
4. These cells can easily use different types of devices as a source of power.
5. It has a long life span ( 20 to 30 Years )

Applications

Below we listed some Applications of Solar-Voltaic Cell –

1. Providing electricity to homes and residential areas.
2. As a power source to many small devices like torch, calculators etc.
3. Used in street lights.