Cell Solar

You may not know it but solar cells are actually powering a lot of things in our world today. Everything from solar powered calculators to parking lot lights. No cords, no wires, no electricity. They work forever and never seem to run out of steam or power. Wouldn’t it be nice to harness the power of the sun for all our energy needs? It would be better for the environment, cleaner for the air, safer for our children, and a whole lot less expensive than what we’re using now. Solar cells in use today are really photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into energy. They are connected together in modules or sequences that allow them to control the amount of power coming in from the sun and then to release it in the manner and amount that we need for power. Photovoltaic when you break it down into its parts makes photo and electricity that translates into light and electricity. Inside a photovoltaic or solar cell are semiconductors usually made of silicon that absorbs the energy and save it inside the cell. The energy inside the cell can then be electrically transferred from the silicon to special holding centers within the solar cell. The silicon itself is a powerful material, particularly when it is able to soak up energy from sunlight or another source. We all know the power of tiny silicon chips inside our computer that power all our computing needs and processes in the blink of an eye. It’s

the same with silicon inside the solar cell. It is power waiting to be energized. To add to this capacity certain impurities are added to the silicon before it is put into the solar cell. Those impurities create an electrical imbalance inside the solar cell when it is hit by direct sunlight causing the silicon to react by multiplying the amount of energy it can hold and opening the doors even wider for the power of the sun to just stream in. Solar power may yet turn out to be the energy savior that it has promised for the last thirty years and if it does if will be thanks to the work of the humble solar cell and a little impure silicon. Isn’t it amazing how science works?