What are Solar Cells Used For?
Solar cells, also known as photovoltaics, are a reliable and reusable source of electricity. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Energy to Electricity
-
A solar cell is a device that can convert light into electrical energy. Solar cells are used to create solar modules and solar panels, generating solar energy. Solar energy is an environmentally safe form of useful energy and can easily be implemented into a home.
What's Inside a Solar Cell?
-
Made from semiconductors such as silicon or cuprous oxide, solar cells receive and hold onto the light energy within the semiconductor. The energy is then placed through a natural process that loosens all of the electrons from the light energy, allowing the energy to move freely to become a source for electricity.
-
Useful
-
Commonly, solar cells are used for calculators, solar panels and DC motors, but they can be found within many appliances, including household lamps and lights, mobile phone and laptop chargers, radios, military equipment, and vehicles.
Invented
-
Solar power has been used since about 400 B.C. Anasazi, Pueblo, Chinese, Greek and Roman civilizations used solar power to heat water, grow food and to supply heat within buildings. Antoine-Cesar Becquerel discovered in 1839 that when light is shined upon an electrode that was within a conductive solution, an electrical current was formed. The silicon solar cell was invented by Russell Ohl in 1941.
New Invention of Solar Cells
-
Scientists at the University of South Florida have managed to revolutionize solar cells by creating plastic spray on solar cells by using polymer instead of silicone. This means solar cells can be placed on smaller flexible materials and are still able to create electricity.
-
References
- Photo Credit GasZappers.com
