Solar PhotovoltaicPhysics

Basic Physics andMaterials Science of SolarCells

Original Presentation by J. M. Pearce, 2006Email: rofearcemail.com

•

Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert lightenergy directly into electricity.

•

Commonly known as “solar cells.”

•

The simplest systems power the smallcalculators we use every day. Morecomplicated systems will provide a largeportion of the electricity in the near future.

•PV represents one of the most promising means of maintaining our energy intensive standard of living while not contributing to global warmingand pollution.

What arePhotovoltaics?

A Brief HistoryPhotovoltaic Technology

•1839 – Photovoltaic effect discovered by Becquerel.•1870s – Hertz developed solid selenium PV (2%).•1905 – Photoelectric effect explained by A. Einstein.•1930s – Light meters for photography commonly employedcells of copper oxide or selenium.•1954 – Bell Laboratories developed the first crystallinesilicon cell (4%).•1958 – PV cells on the space satellite U.S. Vanguard(better than expected).