What is photovoltaic effect in physics

What is photovoltaic effect?

The photovoltaic effect is the generation of voltage and electric current in a material upon exposure to light. It is a physical phenomenon. The photovoltaic effect is closely related to the photoelectric effect. For both phenomena, light is absorbed, causing excitation of an electron or other charge carrier to a higher-energy state.

What is the difference between photoelectric effect and photovoltaic effect?

The main distinction is that the term photoelectric effect is now usually used when the electron is ejected out of the material (usually into a vacuum) and photovoltaic effect used when the excited charge carrier is still contained within the material.

Where does the photovoltaic effect occur?

The photovoltaic effect occurs in solar cells. These solar cells are composed of two different types of semiconductors - a p-type and an n-type - that are joined together to create a p-n junction. To read the background on what these semiconductors are and what the junction is, click here.

How do photovoltaic cells work?

Photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar cells, utilize the photoelectric effect to convert sunlight directly into electricity. By absorbing photons from sunlight, PV cells generate a flow of electrons, which can be harnessed for various applications, including powering homes, buildings, and even entire cities.

How do photovoltaic cells convert solar energy?

Solar energy conversion occurring in these photovoltaic cells consists of two essential stages. First, absorption of light (photons) generates an electron–hole pair, causing separation of electron cohesion in the valence band.

What is a photovoltaic current used for?

This current can be used to measure the brightness of the incident light or as a source of power in an electrical circuit, as in a solar power system (see solar cell). The photovoltaic effect in a solar cell can be illustrated with an analogy to a child at a slide.