solar cell

Also known as photocell, photovoltaic cell. It is a semiconductor device that converts light energy directly into electrical energy. The working principle is based on the photovoltaic effect of the semiconductor P-N junction. When the surface of the battery is illuminated by light, the photogenerated electron-hole pairs generated inside the battery diffuse to the P-N junction and are separated by the junction electric field. The electrons move to the N region and the holes move to the P region. In this way, a photogenerated electromotive force is generated between the P region and the N region. When the external circuit is connected, current flows. Currently, there are mainly silicon, cadmium sulfide, cadmium telluride, and gallium arsenide solar cells.