PHOTOVOLTAIC+CELLS+-+Ivan

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lets define it in the way I do, which also means that, you’ll not find it on the internet… Photo – which is also seen in photosynthesis, hence, it suggests the sun light energy. Voltaic – the word starts with “volt”, therefore, it is about electricity. It is electricity produced by chemical reaction or solar energy. Cell – It is the device (i.e. the panel) that converts the solar energy into electricity energy… Summarising in one word, it is a device for converting sunlight energy to Electricity.
 * __What are photovoltaic cells?__**

Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon. The first Photovoltaic cell was made with a thin piece of gold, but silicon is now commonly used and a better semi-conductor. To make it works, the photons in the sunlight will hit the photovoltaic cell. When the photons hit the, there are three things that could happen to it. As we learnt from light before, some light get reflected, some light get absorbed. It is the same case here, the first possible outcome is that it will when straight into the silicon, without providing any energy as it is weak. The second possible outcome is that the Photon will be absorbed and it generates heat and electricity. Or the third possible outcome is that the Photon will be reflected off the surface. When the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the silicon, the energy exerts itself on to the electrons inside. When electrons inside moves and gain energy… it means electricity. Image source: http://solarforschools.ca/AboutSolarPower.aspx Silicon – it is a very commonly found, so it is not a scarce resource. BUT, to purify the silicon which is initially combined with carbon, they get heated… Now, the oxygen combines with the carbon is? C + O2 = CO2. Which means carbon dioxide is released… A greenhouse gas. and combustion, depends on what method, usually fossil fuels for a high temperature furnace. Yes Yes, it harms when it is being produce, but its life span can actually make up the damage caused when producing while giving more green source of electricity. Therefore, it is a better alternative energy, eco-friendly resource compared to the fossil fuels. It is in particular that mass production (i.e. A photovoltaic cells plant) would increase the efficiency as it is usually located where the input (solar energy, sunlight) is mostly at optimum and it is being checked on regular basis. It is just very lucky of me who were able to find the world largest photovoltaic cells plant on the earth which is only recently completed in October 2010. It is built or lets say invested by the Enbridge Inc. The plant is located in Canada, Sarnia in (Ontario). In case you don’t know this place or never played the board game – RISK, it is located right in the middle of America land, located next to the Greenland. It provides 80 MW, which is targeted to generate enough power to meet the needs of about 12,800 homes. __**Energy Transfer**__ To hard to explain, click here to view a video made by Musicvideo291 (My youtube channel), to get this all explainted… (NEEDS TO BE IN SCHOOL TO WATCH IT!) Reference: (Doesn’t equals to source – which source are known as copy and paste) [] [] http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells/ []
 * __ How does it work? __**
 * __Environment__**
 * __World’s example__**