Solar Energy:

• Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun. Solar energy is an inexhaustible source of energy and the best replacement to other non-renewable energies.
• It is environment friendly, it does not release CO2 and other gases which pollute the air while used.
• Solar cells use photovoltaics to convert sunlight directly into electricity by converting photons (light particles) into electrons (negatively charged particles).
• Solar cells are made of semiconductors and silicon, mixed with other material.

Principle:

• It is based on principle of solid-state physics of semiconductors.
• It is a device made of semiconductor materials that produce electric energy under light (photon) energy. This conversion does not involve any chemical reactions.
• Silicon is a popular material for solar PV cells because it is a semiconductor material, technology is well developed to make silicon for an elctric cell or battery.

• Silicon is abundant in supply and relatively inexpensive in production.

   

Conversion of solar energy directly on to electrical energy in a solar cell: