What Can Photovoltaic Cells Be Used For?

Photovoltaic (PV) cells, also known as solar cells, are electronic devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. They are made of semiconducting materials like silicon and operate through the photovoltaic effect – when sunlight strikes the cell it creates an electric field that generates a flow of current.

PV cells come in many forms but generally consist of one or two layers of semiconducting material with metal contacts attached. When sunlight hits the cell, photons from the light are absorbed, knocking electrons loose and allowing them to flow freely, generating an electrical current. This electricity can then be used to power electrical devices or fed into the grid.

Some of the main uses for photovoltaic cells are in solar power generation, consumer electronics, transportation, buildings, and a variety of off-grid applications. Their ability to produce power from sunlight makes them ideal for sustainable electricity generation and powering devices that need portable power.

Solar Power Generation

One of the most common uses for photovoltaic cells is in solar panels that generate electricity. The photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels made up of many individual photovoltaic cells can be installed on rooftops or ground-mounted systems to generate power.

Solar power generated from photovoltaic panels can be used to provide electricity to homes, businesses, utilities, and more. Rooftop solar panels on homes allow homeowners to generate their own electricity, while larger scale solar farms can produce electricity to feed into the grid. The modular and scalable nature of photovoltaic panels makes them ideal for power generation applications ranging from a few kilowatts to hundreds of megawatts.

Space Applications

Photovoltaic cells are commonly used to provide power to satellites and other spacecraft. The main advantages of using solar cells in space are that they are extremely reliable and lightweight. Solar panels can continue producing electricity for decades with little to no maintenance required. They also don’t need any fuel source other than sunlight, which makes them ideal for the vacuum of space.

Solar power satellites are spacecraft that are designed to collect solar energy, convert it to microwaves, and beam it wirelessly to receivers on Earth. This concept has been proposed as a clean and renewable way to provide base load power to large areas without needing cables. While early prototypes have been tested, solar power satellites have yet to be commercially deployed.

For manned and unmanned spacecraft, solar cells provide a vital source of power for communication, navigation, life support systems and scientific instruments. From the International Space Station to the Mars rovers, photovoltaics allow missions to operate far from the Sun for extended periods of time. The lightweight nature of solar panels reduces launch costs as well. Future concepts for solar-powered spacecraft include solar sails that use radiation pressure for propulsion.

Consumer Electronics

One of the most common uses of photovoltaic cells is charging batteries for consumer electronics like mobile phones, watches, and calculators. The small solar panels used to charge these devices are usually only a few inches across but can provide enough electricity from sunlight for daily charging. Solar battery chargers are popular for powering devices when traveling or using them in remote locations without access to electricity. They allow people to use and rely on electronic devices without the need for batteries or electrical outlets. Some consumer gadgets like calculators and watches may even have tiny photovoltaic cells built directly into them to operate the device just using ambient light. Using solar power for consumer electronics is an everyday convenience that also promotes sustainable energy use.

LED Lighting

Photovoltaic cells are well-suited for powering LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs and fixtures. LED lighting is extremely energy efficient compared to incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Whereas incandescent bulbs convert only about 10% of energy input into light, LED bulbs can achieve efficiencies over 80%. This means PV cells can power a high quantity of LED lighting with a modest sized solar panel.

The low energy demand of LEDs matches well with the intermittent output of solar panels. Some LED bulbs and fixtures even have built-in batteries to store solar energy for nighttime lighting needs. For applications like outdoor lighting, street lamps, and lighting in rural or off-grid areas, small solar panels combined with LED technology provide a sustainable lighting solution.

Building Integrated PV

One of the most promising applications for solar photovoltaic cells is directly integrating them into the infrastructure of buildings and homes. Rather than mounting bulky panels on rooftops, solar cells can be incorporated directly into windows, shingles, siding, and other parts of the structure.

Solar window technology allows photovoltaic cells to be sandwiched between layers of glass or plastic. This generates electricity while still allowing natural light to enter the building. Solar windows can be installed during new construction or retrofitted into existing windows.

Photovoltaic shingles and siding look similar to traditional building materials but have solar cells embedded inside. By replacing a portion of conventional materials with solar alternatives, electricity can be produced across the entire exterior surface of a home or office building.

Integrating solar technology directly into infrastructure helps buildings generate electricity while taking up zero extra space. As building-integrated photovoltaics become more efficient and affordable, they have enormous potential for distributed power generation in urban areas.

Transportation

Photovoltaic cells have become an increasingly important energy source for transportation applications. Electric vehicles can be powered by solar panels installed on the vehicle’s roof or hood. The solar energy charges the vehicle’s battery, extending its driving range. Some prototype solar cars have been designed to operate solely on solar power. While full solar-electric cars are not yet practical for everyday use, photovoltaic technology is advancing quickly and could enable solar-powered transportation in the future.

Photovoltaic cells are also used to power traffic signals, street lighting, and road signage. Solar-powered systems for transportation infrastructure reduce the need to connect to the electrical grid. They provide a clean, renewable source of energy and lower operating costs compared to conventional power. With transportation accounting for a large share of global energy usage, photovoltaic technology offers an eco-friendly solution to reduce fossil fuel consumption.

Off-Grid Power

Photovoltaic cells are used extensively for off-grid electricity generation in remote areas that lack connection to an electricity distribution grid. This allows people living in rural or isolated locations to access electric power. Off-grid PV systems come in various sizes to meet different energy demands, from small solar home systems and lanterns for basic household lighting and phone charging, to larger systems that can power appliances and equipment for homes, businesses, telecommunications, water pumping, and more. Off-grid PV is a practical and cost-effective option, eliminating the high cost of extending grid infrastructure over challenging terrain. In addition, off-grid PV has minimal operating costs after installation.

Advantages of Photovoltaic Cells

Photovoltaic cells provide numerous benefits compared to traditional energy sources like coal and natural gas. Most significantly, solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy that does not emit greenhouse gases or other pollutants. The use of photovoltaic technology can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.

Solar panels also require little maintenance over their lifetime. After initial installation, PV systems can operate for decades with minimal upkeep or intervention. This makes them an extremely reliable energy solution. Solar panels have no moving parts and are built to withstand extreme weather conditions. With a solar PV system, there is no need to refuel or actively manage power generation.

Future Applications

There are several potential future uses for photovoltaic cells that are still being developed and researched. With improvements in efficiency and cost, solar cells may be able to power new applications.

One future application is integrating photovoltaic materials into windows and building facades to turn skyscrapers and homes into solar energy generators. As solar window technology improves, it could greatly increase solar energy harvesting in urban areas.

Thin, flexible solar cells may also be embedded into fabrics, bags, and other consumer products to provide portable solar charging capabilities. Wearable solar power could provide energy for mobile phones, health sensors, GPS devices and other electronics.

Efficiency improvements through new materials and manufacturing techniques could enable solar cells to be cost-effectively integrated into automobiles to extend battery range. Electric vehicles could potentially recharge while driving using photovoltaic coatings on the car body.

Ongoing solar cell research aims to push efficiency limits even higher through advanced multi-junction cells, novel thin-film materials, nanotechnology and other innovations. With increased efficiency, solar power could become even more cost-competitive for energy production.