The main transformer in a solar cell requires solar silicon in order to work properly. A solar energy will collect light or sunshine and convert this into electricity by producing an electric current. Solar energy is renewable and you can use solar panels to supplement your current electrical use. This saves you a lot of money while using an environmentally friendly power source.
Most of the new homes and buildings being designed use some sort of solar energy and you can even purchase solar cells that look like shingles and side panels. Besides not having to worry about paying an electric bill you also will receive the savings in the form of a tax rebate. These rebates will differ depending on the state you reside.
High efficiency solar cells are those that convert the maximum amount of electricity from the light source. When using silicone the most efficient solar cells are monocrystalline. This type of cell provides and energy payback of 1 to 2 years so you will get your entire investment back quite quickly.
The solar silicon is where the energy conversion occurs and three different events can occur. The photon can reflect off the silicon, it can pass through the silicon or the silicon can absorb it. When the photon is absorbed then it excites the silicon in the semiconductor and the photon will move throughout the semiconductor where it is channelled and transformed into electricity.
Most solar cells will use a semiconductor with a silicon p-n junction. So a layer of n-type silicon is brought into contact with a layer or p-type silicon. This contact allows for the diffusion of the high electron side (the n layer which the photon hits) to the p-type which has a low concentration of electrons. This in turn creates an electric field which produces a drift current.
This energy gradient occurs because of the two different silicon layers found in a semiconductor. These layers tend to be called a p-n junction as a layer of p type silicon which has a high concentration of electrons is in contact with a layer of n type with a low concentration of electrons. As the electrons move between the two layers you generate electricity.
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