Photovoltaic dictionary meaning

Photovoltaic cell

The photovoltaic effect is a process that generates voltage or electric current in a photovoltaic cell when it is exposed to sunlight.These solar cells are composed of two different types of semiconductors—a p-type and an n-type—that are joined together to create a p-n junction joining these two types of semiconductors, an electric field is formed in the region of the

Too many confusing solar terms? Here''s a quick guide

Dec 6, 2023· Grid parity: The point at which power generated by solar panels costs the same or less than power from conventional resources like natural gas. Levelized cost of energy (LCOE): The per-unit cost of energy from a solar

How does a photovoltaic device produce a voltage?

A photovoltaic device produces a voltage when it is exposed to light. Special panels of photovoltaic cells capture light from the sun and convert it into electricity. A solar cell is a photovoltaic device that produces an electrical current from light. A photovoltaic device produces a voltage when it is exposed to light.

How do photovoltaic cells work?

Simply put, photovoltaic cells allow solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. You''ve probably seen solar panels on rooftops all around your neighborhood, but do you know how they work to generate electricity?

Solar Energy Terminology Guide & Solar Terms

The majority of residential solar is grid tied, meaning that we use the utility infrastructure to measure production of energy produced by the solar system. When we use more energy than is produced by the solar system, the energy

What is a photovoltaic (PV) cell?

A photovoltaic (PV) cell, commonly called a solar cell, is a nonmechanical device that converts sunlight directly into electricity. Some PV cells can convert artificial light into electricity. Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy.

Solar explained Photovoltaics and electricity

Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity. A photovoltaic (PV) cell, commonly called a solar cell, is a nonmechanical device that converts sunlight directly into electricity.Some PV cells can convert artificial light into electricity. Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy.These photons contain varying amounts of energy that correspond to the different

Where does the word photovoltaic come from?

The term "photovoltaic" comes from the Greek φῶς (phōs) meaning "light", and from "volt", the unit of electromotive force, the volt, which in turn comes from the last name of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta, inventor of the battery (electrochemical cell). The term "photovoltaic" has been in use in English since 1849.

Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics | NREL

Photovoltaics (often shortened as PV) gets its name from the process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage), which is called the photovoltaic effect.This phenomenon was first exploited in 1954 by scientists at Bell Laboratories who created a working solar cell made from silicon that generated an electric current when exposed to sunlight.

Photovoltaics (PV)

Apr 10, 2024· One of the main benefits is that solar energy is a renewable resource, meaning it will never run out. This makes it a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, which are finite and contribute to climate change. Photovoltaic systems also have low operating costs once they are installed, as sunlight is free and abundant.

How Does Solar Work? | Department of Energy

Solar Energy 101. Solar radiation is light – also known as electromagnetic radiation – that is emitted by the sun. While every location on Earth receives some sunlight over a year, the amount of solar radiation that reaches any one spot on the Earth''s surface varies. Solar technologies capture this radiation and turn it into useful forms

PV definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary

Photovoltaic.... Click for pronunciations, examples sentences, video. Access the entire site, including the Easy Learning Grammar, and our language quizzes.; Customize your language settings. (Unregistered users can only access the International English interface for some pages.)

What is photovoltaic systems fundamentals & applications?

Photovoltaic Systems: Fundamentals and Applications is designed to be used as an introductory textbook and professional training manual offering mathematical and conceptual insights that can be used to teach concepts, aid understanding of fundamentals, and act as a guide for sizing and designing practical systems.

Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics | NREL

Solar cells, also called photovoltaic cells, convert sunlight directly into electricity. Photovoltaics (often shortened as PV) gets its name from the process of converting light (photons) to

How do solar cells work? Photovoltaic cells explained

Jul 25, 2024· A photovoltaic cell is the most critical part of a solar panel that allows it to convert sunlight into electricity. The two main types of solar cells are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. The "photovoltaic effect" refers to the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy.

PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT Definition & Meaning

Photovoltaic effect definition: the phenomenon in which the incidence of light or other electromagnetic radiation upon the junction of two dissimilar materials, as a metal and a semiconductor, induces the generation of an electromotive force.. See examples of PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT used in a sentence.

Solar panel

Solar array mounted on a rooftop. A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of materials that produce excited electrons when exposed to light. The electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct current (DC) electricity, which can be used to power various devices or be stored in batteries.

photovoltaic | Photonics Dictionary | Photonics Marketplace

The term "photovoltaic" is derived from the words "photo," meaning light, and "voltaic," referring to electricity, named after Alessandro Volta, a pioneer in the field of electricity. Key points about photovoltaic technology: Photovoltaic cells: The basic building block of photovoltaic technology is the photovoltaic cell, also known as a solar

Solar panel | Definition & Facts | Britannica

Oct 24, 2024· Solar panel, a component of a photovoltaic system that is made out of a series of photovoltaic cells arranged to generate electricity using sunlight. The main component of a solar panel is a solar cell, which converts the Sun''s energy to usable electrical energy. The most common form of solar

Photovoltaic Definition & Meaning

Oct 19, 2024· The meaning of PHOTOVOLTAIC is of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances (such as two different semiconductors).

Solar Photovoltaic Cell Basics

When light shines on a photovoltaic (PV) cell – also called a solar cell – that light may be reflected, absorbed, or pass right through the cell. The PV cell is composed of semiconductor material; the "semi" means that it can conduct electricity better than an insulator but not as well as a good conductor like a metal.

Photovoltaics

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) supports PV research and development projects that drive down the costs of solar-generated electricity by improving efficiency and reliability. PV research projects at SETO work to maintain U.S. leadership in the field, with a strong record of impact over the past several

What is the photovoltaic effect?

Photovoltaics (PV) is the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon studied in physics, photochemistry, and electrochemistry. The photovoltaic effect is commercially used for electricity generation and as photosensors.

Photovoltaics Definition & Meaning

The meaning of PHOTOVOLTAIC is of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances (such as two different semiconductors).

Photovoltaic system

A photovoltaic (PV) system is composed of one or more solar panels combined with an inverter and other electrical and mechanical hardware that use energy from the Sun to generate electricity.PV systems can vary greatly in size from small rooftop or portable systems to massive utility-scale generation plants. Although PV systems can operate by themselves as off-grid PV

How do you write a book about photovoltaic systems?

Chapters are written concisely in straightforward language that provides clear explanations of the concepts and principles, with an emphasis on humanitarian applications of photovoltaic systems and a focus on relatively small size systems that will make the book relatable to readers.

Photovoltaic

Define photovoltaic. photovoltaic synonyms, photovoltaic pronunciation, photovoltaic translation, English dictionary definition of photovoltaic. adj. Capable of producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy, especially light. pho′to·vol·ta′ic n.

Too many confusing solar terms? Here''s a quick guide

Dec 6, 2023· Grid parity: The point at which power generated by solar panels costs the same or less than power from conventional resources like natural gas. Levelized cost of energy (LCOE): The per-unit cost of energy from a solar energy system. You can calculate LCOE by dividing the out-of-pocket cost for the system by the estimated total amount of energy the system will

Photovoltaics

OverviewEtymologyHistorySolar cellsPerformance and degradationManufacturing of PV systemsEconomicsGrowth

Photovoltaics (PV) is the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon studied in physics, photochemistry, and electrochemistry. The photovoltaic effect is commercially used for electricity generation and as photosensors. A photovoltaic system employs solar modules, each comprising a number of solar cells

Explainer: what is photovoltaic solar energy?

Mar 26, 2013· There are two main types of solar energy technology: photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal. Solar PV is the rooftop solar you see on homes and businesses - it produces electricity from solar energy