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by Gil Knier
Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level. Some
materials exhibit a property known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb
photons of light and release electrons. When these free electrons are captured, an electric
current results that can be used as electricity.
The photoelectric effect was first noted by a French physicist, Edmund Bequerel, in 1839,
who found that certain materials would produce small amounts of electric current when
exposed to light. In 1905, Albert Einstein described the nature of light and the photoelectric
effect on which photovoltaic technology is based, for which he later won a Nobel prize in
physics. The first photovoltaic module was built by Bell Laboratories in 1954. It was billed
as a solar battery and was mostly just a curiosity as it was too expensive to gain widespread
use. In the 1960s, the space industry began to make the first serious use of the technology to
provide power aboard spacecraft. Through the space programs, the technology advanced, its
reliability was established, and the cost began to decline. During the energy crisis in the
1970s, photovoltaic technology gained recognition as a source of power for non-space
applications.
The diagram above illustrates the operation of a basic photovoltaic cell, also called a solar
cell. Solar cells are made of the same kinds of semiconductor materials, such as silicon,
used in the microelectronics industry. For solar cells, a thin semiconductor wafer is
specially treated to form an electric field, positive on one side and negative on the other.
When light energy strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the
semiconductor material. If electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative
sides, forming an electrical circuit, the electrons can be captured in the form of an electric
current -- that is, electricity. This electricity can then be used to power a load, such as a
light or a tool.
Multiple modules can be wired together to form an array. In general, the larger the area of a
module or array, the more electricity that will be produced. Photovoltaic modules and
arrays produce direct-current (dc) electricity. They can be connected in both series and
parallel electrical arrangements to produce any required voltage and current combination.
Today's most common PV devices use a single junction, or interface, to create an electric
field within a semiconductor such as a PV cell. In a single-junction PV cell, only photons
whose energy is equal to or greater than the band gap of the cell material can free an
electron for an electric circuit. In other words, the photovoltaic response of single-junction
cells is limited to the portion of the sun's spectrum whose energy is above the band gap of
the absorbing material, and lower-energy photons are not used.
One way to get around this limitation is to use two (or more) different cells, with more than
one band gap and more than one junction, to generate a voltage. These are referred to as
"multijunction" cells (also called "cascade" or "tandem" cells). Multijunction devices can
achieve a higher total conversion efficiency because they can
convert more of the energy spectrum of light to electricity.
As an example, the multijunction device below uses a top cell of gallium indium phosphide,
"a tunnel junction," to aid the flow of electrons between the cells, and a bottom cell of
gallium arsenide.
Where Photovoltaics are Used Today
As a versatile, scalable, and independent source of electricity, photovoltaic systems are used to
power a broad variety of technologies, buildings, and systems that need energy. Here we look at
some of the ways photovoltaics are used today.
Residential Buildings
These installations have grown significantly and there are many installation companies that
specialize in the residential market. For more on current residential installations in Massachusetts ,
see our section on Solar Energy in Massachusetts . We also provide more detailed information on
solar installations for homeowners and homebuilders in our catalog of How To Guides.
Commercial, Institutional and Industrial Buildings
Though there are fewer large-scale buildings than residential ones, photovoltaic installations on
these buildings can have significant impact on reducing emissions from electricity production and
can provide much benefit to their owners. For more on current commercial, industrial, and
institutional installations in Massachusetts , see our section on Solar Energy in Massachusetts and
our How To Guide for large-scale building owners and developers.
Public Buildings and Municipal Installations
In Massachusetts , school buildings have been the pioneering examples of municipal installations,
with 16 schools developing or completing photovoltaic installations to date. For more on current
municipal installations in Massachusetts , see our section on Solar Energy in Massachusetts . We
also provide information on municipal planning efforts and setting goals for photovoltaic installations
in our How To Guide for municipalities.
There have been many interesting developments in remote photovoltaic applications. Photon
International, a photovoltaic trade magazine with past articles online, is a good place to start in
learning about these uses.
Space Applications
Other applications in consumer products have also been developed, though they are not yet as
widely used. X site introduces some of the emerging uses of photovoltaics in consumer products.
How Photovoltaic Cells Work
Initially, the energy a photovoltaic cell uses comes from the sun. There,
hydrogen nuclei fuse with each other to form helium nuclei and energy. It
takes four hydrogen nuclei to form one helium nucleus.
Photons
Photons are the energy byproducts of the nuclear reaction in the sun. They
are essentially "packets of energy."
When photons from the sun hit a photovoltaic cell, they may be absorbed by
an electron. With this extra energy, the electron may become excited and
break off its atom, and eventually begin an electric current.
Silicon Wafer
The silicon wafer is the basic starting material of photovoltaic cells. As other
materials are added to both sides of the cell, the silicon remains neutral, and
acts as a barrier layer. This is because of its four valence electrons.
Positive Layer
Photoelectric Effect
Professional Corporations
Solar Arraying
Often, cells are not found alone but are grouped together in series, to
form what is called a solar array. These are generally placed under
glass or plastic for protection from the weather. When hooked in
series, a lot more electricity is generated.
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaic (or PV) systems convert light energy into electricity. The term "photo" is a stem from the Greek
"phos," which means "light." "Volt" is named for Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of
electricity. Photovoltaics literally means light-electricity.
Most commonly known as "solar cells," PV systems are already an important part of our lives.
The simplest systems power many of the small calculators and wrist watches we use every day. More
complicated systems provide electricity for pumping water, powering communications equipment, and even
lighting our homes and running our appliances. In a surprising number of cases, PV power is the cheapest
form of electricity for performing these tasks.
The effect was first studied in solids, such as selenium, by Heinrich Hertz in the 1870s. Soon afterward,
selenium photovoltaic cells were converting light to electricity at one percent to two percent efficiency. As a
result, selenium was quickly adopted in the emerging field of photography for use in light-measuring devices.
Major steps toward commercializing photovoltaic cells began in the 1940s and early 1950s, when the
Czochralski process was developed for producing highly pure crystalline silicon. In 1954, scientists at Bell
Laboratories depended on the Czochralski process to develop a crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell, with an
efficiency of six percent.
This electric field acts as a diode, allowing (and even pushing) electrons to flow from the P
side to the N side, but not the other way around. It's like a hill -- electrons can easily go down
the hill (to the N side), but can't climb it (to the P side).
So we've got an electric field acting as a diode in which electrons can only move in one
direction.
When light, in the form of photons, hits our solar cell, its energy frees electron-hole pairs.
Each photon with enough energy will normally free exactly one electron, and result in a free
hole as well. If this happens close enough to the electric field, or if free electron and free hole
happen to wander into its range of influence, the field will send the electron to the N side and
the hole to the P side. This causes further disruption of electrical neutrality, and if we provide
an external current path, electrons will flow through the path to their original side (the P side)
to unite with holes that the electric field sent there, doing work for us along the way. The
electron flow provides the current, and the cell's electric field causes a voltage. With both
current and voltage, we have power, which is the product of the two.
Operation of a PV cell
There are a few more steps left before we can really use our cell. Silicon happens to be a
very shiny material, which means that it is very reflective. Photons that are reflected can't be
used by the cell. For that reason, an antireflective coating is applied to the top of the cell to
reduce reflection losses to less than 5 percent.
The final step is the glass cover plate that protects the cell from the elements. PV modules
are made by connecting several cells (usually 36) in series and parallel to achieve useful
levels of voltage and current, and putting them in a sturdy frame complete with a glass cover
and positive and negative terminals on the back.
How much sunlight energy does our PV cell absorb? Unfortunately, the most that our simple
cell could absorb is around 25 percent, and more likely is 15 percent or less. Why so little?
Vanguard I satellite before launching, Apollo solar array, solar module used in space applications in
1983
(source: NASA NIX)
Did you know? If you will follow the link you will find some amazing historical facts
about solar energy use.
Other topics: Historical facts
In 1951, the first germanium solar cells have been made. Dr. Dan
Trivich of Wayne State University has made some theoretical calculation
on solar cell efficiency with different materials, and on solar spectrum
wavelengths in 1953. In 1954, the RCA Laboratories published a report
on CdS photovoltaic effect. AT&T organized several demonstrations on
solar cells functioning the same year. The Bell's Laboratories published
the results of the solar cells operation with 4.5 % efficiency. The
efficiency was increased to 6 % within a few months.
The first photovoltaic systems for the third world rural areas
Solar cars
High efficient silicon solar cells and thin film solar module
Solarex has received the United Nations tender to supply a 50kW system
for UN research projects needs in Pakistan. ARCO Solar increased the
thin film system production capacities in Camarillo, California to 7 MW
per year. ARCO Solar opened production in Japan and Germany. BP Solar
got a thin film technology patent for a solar cells production in 1989.
HELIOS flight
After many years of research and trial flights HELIOS solar powered
plane, developed by NASA and AeroVironment Inc., has broken the
height record on 13th August 2001. HELIOS reached the height of almost
30,000 meters.
In period 2002 - 2003 several large power plants were built in Germany.
On April 29th 2003 at that time the world's largest photovoltaic plant was
connected to the public grid in Hemau near Regensburg (Bavaria),
Germany. The peak power of the "Solarpark Hemau" plant is 4 MW. Due
to renewable energy law "EEG" many other large systems up to 5 MWp
were built in Germany in year 2004. Some of them are Solarparks
Geiseltalsee, Leipzig, Bürstadt, Göttelborn and others.
1839:
Nineteen-year-old Edmund Becquerel, a French experimental physicist, discovered the photovoltaic effect
while experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes. 1873:
Willoughby Smith discovered the photoconductivity of selenium.
1876:
Adams and Day observed the photovoltaic effect in solid selenium.
1883:
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, described the first solar cells made from selenium wafers.
1887:
Heinrich Hertz discovered that ultraviolet light altered the lowest voltage capable of causing a spark to jump
between two metal electrodes.
1904:
Hallwachs discovered that a combination of copper and cuprous oxide was photosensitive. Einstein
published his paper on the photoelectric effect.
1914:
The existence of a barrier layer in PV devices was reported.
1916:
Millikan provided experimental proof of the photoelectric effect.
1918:
Polish scientist Czochralski developed a way to grow single-crystal silicon.
1923:
Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize for his theories explaining the photoelectric effect.
1951:
A grown p-n junction enabled the production of a single-crystal cell of germanium.
1954:
The PV effect in Cd was reported; primary work was performed by Rappaport, Loferski and Jenny at
RCA. Bell Labs researchers Pearson, Chapin, and Fuller reported their discovery of 4.5% efficient
silicon solar cells; this was raised to 6% only a few months later (by a work team including Mort
Prince). Chapin, Fuller, Pearson (AT&T) submitted their results to the Journal of Applied Physics.
AT&T demonstrated solar cells in Murray Hill, New Jersey, then at the National Academy of Science
Meeting in Washington, DC.
1955:
Western Electric began to sell commercial licenses for silicon PV technologies; early successful
products included PV-powered dollar bill changers and devices that decoded computer punch cards
and tape. Bell System's demonstration of the type P rural carrier system began in Americus, Georgia.
Hoffman Electronics's Semiconductor Division announced a commercial PV product at 2% efficiency;
priced at $25/cell and at 14 mW each, the cost of energy was $1500/W.
1956:
Bell System's demonstration of the type P rural carrier system was terminated after five months.
1957:
Hoffman Electronics achieved 8% efficient cells. "Solar Energy Converting Apparatus," patent
#2,780,765, was issued to Chapin, Fuller, and Pearson, AT&T.
1958:
Hoffman Electronics achieved 9% efficient PV cells. Vanguard I, the first PV-powered satellite, was
launched in cooperation with the U.S. Signal Corp. The satellite power system operated for 8 years.
1959:
Hoffman Electronics achieved 10% efficient, commercially available PV cells and demonstrated the
use of a grid contact to significantly reduce series resistance. Explorer-6 was launched with a PV array
of 9600 cells, each only 1 cm x 2 cm.
1960:
Hoffman Electronics achieved 14% efficient PV cells.
1960 to present
1961:
The UN conference on Solar Energy in the Developing World was held. The precursor to the PV Specialists
Conference, the Meeting of the Solar Working Group (SWG) of the Interservice Group for Flight Vehicle
Power, was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first PV Specialists Conference was held in
Washington, DC.
1963:
Japan installed a 242-W PV array on a lighthouse, the world's largest array at that time.
1964:
The Nimbus spacecraft was launched with a 470-W PV array.
1965:
Peter Glaser, A.D. Little, conceived the idea of a satellite solar power station. Tyco Labs developed the
edge-defined, film-fed growth (EFG) process, first to grow crystal sapphire ribbons and then silicon.
1966:
The Orbiting Astronomical Observatory was launched with a 1-kW PV array.
1968:
The OVI-13 satellite was launched with two CdS panels.
1972:
The French install a CdS PV system in a village school in Niger to run an educational TV.
1973:
The Cherry Hill Conference was held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
1974:
Japan formulated Project Sunshine. Tyco Labs grew the first EFG, 1-inch-wide ribbon by an endless-belt
process.
1975:
The U.S. government began a terrestrial PV research and development project, assigned to the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), as a result of recommendations of the Cherry Hill Conference. Bill Yerkes
opened Solar Technology International. Exxon opened Solar Power Corporation. JPL instituted the Block I
procurement by the U.S. government.
1977:
The Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), later to become the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
(NREL), opened in Golden, Colorado. Total PV manufacturing production exceeded 500 kW.
1979:
Solenergy was founded. NASA's Lewis Research Center (LeRC) completed a 3.5-kW system on the
Papago Indian Reservation in Schuchuli, Arizona; this was the world's first village PV system. NASA's LeRC
completed an 1.8-kW array for AID, in Tangaye, Upper Volta, and later increased power output to 3.6 kW.
1980:
The first William R. Cherry Award was given to Paul Rappaport, SERI's founding director. New Mexico State
University, Las Cruces, was selected to establish and operate the Southwest Residential Experimental
Station (SW RES). A 105.6-kW system was dedicated at Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah; the
system used Motorola, ARCO Solar, and Spectrolab PV modules.
1981:
A 90.4-kW PV system was dedicated at Lovington Square Shopping Center (New Mexico) using Solar
Power Corp. modules. A 97.6-kW PV system was dedicated at Beverly High School in Beverly,
Massachusetts, using Solar Power Corp. modules. An 8-kW PV-powered (Mobil Solar), reverse-osmosis
desalination facility was dedicated in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
1982:
Worldwide PV production exceeded 9.3 MW. Solarex dedicated its 'PV Breeder' production facility in
Frederick, Maryland, with its roof-integrated 200-kW array. ARCO Solar's Hisperia, California, 1-MW PV
plant went on line with modules on 108 dual-axis trackers.
1983:
The JPL Block V procurement was begun. Solar Power Corporation completed the design and installation of
four stand-alone PV village power systems in Hammam Biadha, Tunesia (a 29-kW village power system, a
1.5-kW residential system, and two 1.5-kW irrigation/pumping systems). Solar Design Associates completed
the stand-alone, 4-kW (Mobil Solar), Hudson River Valley home. Worldwide PV production exceeded 21.3
MW, and sales exceeded $250 million.
1984:
The IEEE Morris N. Liebmann Award was presented to Drs. David Carlson and Christopher Wronski at the
17th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, "for crucial contributions to the use of amorphous silicon in low-
cost, high-performance photovoltaic solar cells."
1991:
The Solar Energy Research Institute was redesignated as the U.S. Department of Energy's National
Renewable Energy Laboratory by President George Bush.
1993:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Solar Energy Research Facility (SERF), opened in Golden,
Colorado.
1996:
The U.S. Department of Energy announces the National Center for Photovoltaics, headquartered in Golden,
Colorado.
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaic (or PV) systems convert light energy into electricity. The term "photo" is a stem from the Greek
"phos," which means "light." "Volt" is named for Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of
electricity. Photovoltaics literally means light-electricity.
Most commonly known as "solar cells," PV systems are already an important part of our lives.
The simplest systems power many of the small calculators and wrist watches we use every day. More
complicated systems provide electricity for pumping water, powering communications equipment, and even
lighting our homes and running our appliances. In a surprising number of cases, PV power is the cheapest
form of electricity for performing these tasks.
History of Photovoltaic Cells
Photovoltaic cells convert light energy into electricity at the atomic level. French physicist Edmond Becquerel
first described the photovoltaic effect in 1839, but it remained a curiosity of science for the next three
quarters of a century. At only nineteen, Becquerel found that certain materials would produce small amounts
of electric current when exposed to light.
The effect was first studied in solids, such as selenium, by Heinrich Hertz in the 1870s. Soon afterward,
selenium photovoltaic cells were converting light to electricity at one percent to two percent efficiency. As a
result, selenium was quickly adopted in the emerging field of photography for use in light-measuring devices.
Major steps toward commercializing photovoltaic cells began in the 1940s and early 1950s, when the
Czochralski process was developed for producing highly pure crystalline silicon. In 1954, scientists at Bell
Laboratories depended on the Czochralski process to develop a crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell, with an
efficiency of six percent.