What is the working principle of a solar cell?

A solar cell converts sunlight into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect.

Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, are made up of semiconductor materials such as silicon. When sunlight hits the cell, it excites electrons in the semiconductor material, causing them to move and create an electric current. This process is known as the photovoltaic effect.

The semiconductor material is doped with impurities to create a p-n junction. The p-type material has an excess of positively charged holes, while the n-type material has an excess of negatively charged electrons. When the two materials are brought together, a potential difference is created at the junction, which causes the electrons to move from the n-type material to the p-type material.

The movement of electrons creates a flow of electric current, which can be harnessed to power electrical devices. Solar cells are typically connected in series to increase the voltage and in parallel to increase the current.

The efficiency of a solar cell depends on several factors, including the type of semiconductor material used, the thickness of the cell, and the wavelength of the light. Researchers are continually working to improve the efficiency of solar cells to make them a more viable source of renewable energy.