What are Photovoltaics?

SOLID STATE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES THAT CONVERT SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY INTO ELECTRICITY

Solar Electricity - How it works: Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made primarily of silicon, the second most abundant element in the earth's crust, and the same semiconductor material used for computers. When the silicon is combined with one or more other materials, it exhibits unique electrical properties in the presence of sunlight. Electrons are excited by the light and move through the silicon. This is known as the photovoltaic effect and results in direct current (DC) electricity. PV modules have no moving parts, are virtually maintenance-free, and have a working life of 30 - 40 years or more.

Crystalline Silicon
Flat plate collectors: These are the most developed and prevalent type in use today. These include single crystal silicon and polycrystalline silicon which is either grown or cast from molten silicon and later sliced into its cell size. They are then assembled onto a flat surface.

Thin Film Systems: These are inherently cheaper to produce than crystalline silicon but are not as efficient. They are produced by depositing a thin layer of photovoltaic material to a substrate like glass or metal. Amorphous silicon Cadmium Telluride Copper Indium Diselenide (CIS)