The United Kingdom has been at the forefront of the global shift towards renewable energy. One of the most popular forms of renewable energy is solar power. Photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells, are the backbone of solar power. They convert sunlight into electricity that can be used to power homes, businesses, and even cars. In this article, we will explore how photovoltaic cells work and why they are becoming increasingly important in the United Kingdom’s energy mix.
What are photovoltaic cells?
Photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductor materials that can absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. The most commonly used semiconductor materials in photovoltaic cells are silicon, gallium arsenide, and cadmium telluride. When sunlight hits the semiconductor material, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms, creating a flow of electrons that can be harnessed as electricity.
How do photovoltaic cells work?
Photovoltaic cells work in three steps: absorption, separation, and collection. Let’s take a closer look at each step.
Absorption: Photons from the sun’s rays hit the photovoltaic cell, which absorbs the energy. The energy from the photons is transferred to the electrons in the semiconductor material, causing them to move from their normal state.
Separation: Once the electrons are excited, they move around the semiconductor material. The semiconductor material has two layers, the p-type layer and the n-type layer. The p-type layer has a lot of positively charged holes, and the n-type layer has a lot of negatively charged electrons. The excited electrons move from the n-type layer to the p-type layer, leaving positively charged holes behind.
Collection: The movement of electrons from the n-type layer to the p-type layer creates a flow of electricity. This flow of electricity is collected by metal contacts on the cell’s surface and transferred to wires that can carry the electricity to a device or a battery for storage.
Types of photovoltaic cells
There are three main types of photovoltaic cells: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.
Monocrystalline cells are made from a single crystal of silicon, which makes them the most efficient type of photovoltaic cell. They are also the most expensive to produce.
Polycrystalline cells are made from multiple crystals of silicon. They are less efficient than monocrystalline cells but are cheaper to produce.
Thin-film cells are made by depositing a thin layer of photovoltaic material on a substrate such as glass or metal. They are the least efficient type of photovoltaic cell but are the cheapest to produce.
Why are photovoltaic cells important in the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom has made a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve this goal, the country needs to shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. Solar power, which is generated by photovoltaic cells, is one of the most promising forms of renewable energy.
The United Kingdom has a lot of potential for solar power generation. Despite being located at a high latitude, it receives enough sunlight to make solar power viable. In 2020, solar power generated 12.4 TWh of electricity in the United Kingdom, enough to power 3.8 million homes.
Photovoltaic cells are also becoming cheaper to produce. This means that solar power is becoming more cost-competitive with fossil fuels. As the cost of solar power continues to decrease, it will become more accessible to households and businesses.
Conclusion
Photovoltaic cells are a crucial component of solar power generation. They work by absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity that can be used to power homes, businesses, and cars. The United Kingdom has a lot of potential for solar power generation, and the country is committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. As the cost of solar power continues to decrease, photovoltaic cells are becoming an increasingly important part of the United Kingdom’s energy mix.
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