Literally, photovoltaic is translated to mean light-electricity. This is exactly what photovoltaic devices and materials do. These types of devices and materials are responsible for converting light energy into an electrical power resource. This type of energy system was first developed in the year 1839.Solar cells or photovoltaic cells (PV cells) are considered to be a device that produces electricity. Semiconductor material is what PV cells are made from. The PV cells range in size from smaller than a postage stamp to several feet long. Different sized PV arrays can be connected to modules in order to create power output. The factors that determine how much electricity is generated depends on the consumer’s needs and the amount of sunlight that is made available in a specific location. A Photovoltaic system consists of mounting hardware, electrical connections, batteries and power conditioning equipment. The batteries are used for the storing of solar energy so the power source produces electricity when the sun is not shining. There are numerous items that a PV system is a power source for. Some of the smaller items powered by solar power are wristwatches and calculators. Other items that can be powered through this energy source are appliances, water pumps, lights and communication satellites. In recent year’s traffic and road signs have been powered by photovoltaic energy. This is a very inexpensive form of electricity.To understand the physics of photovoltaic energy one must know that crystalline silicon is a very common material used as a conductor. The crystalline material is the chief material that converts the suns rays in to solar energy. The solar energy is created at an atomic level. As the material captures the sun’s rays energy is converted into cells. These cells are used to generate electricity to be either used right away or stored for later use when there is a demand.
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