Photovoltaic (PV) Effect

Category: science

The physical and chemical process by which a solar cell converts sunlight directly into electricity.

The foundational science of solar power. When photons from sunlight strike a semiconductor material (like silicon), they transfer energy to bound electrons. This excitation knocks the electrons free, allowing them to flow through an internal electric field to generate direct current (DC) electricity.

Common Examples

• The efficiency of a modern solar cell hinges on optimizing the photovoltaic effect within the silicon wafer substrate layers.
• Understanding the photovoltaic effect explains why solar panels generate electricity from light intensity rather than atmospheric heat.