Photovoltaic Cells

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Photovoltaic Cells

• by Eric Bridges
• Vytautas Smetona

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Main Goal?

• To convert solar energy into electrical energy
• Reduce dependence on nonrenewable resources as
  fuels
• To reduce pollution

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How Can it Make a Difference?

• Solar energy will reduce the dependence on fossil
  fuels
• There will be less waste and greenhouse gasses
  produced and released into the atmosphere
• It will reduce air pollutants by 90 percent

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How Does it Work?

• Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials
  called semiconductors such as silicon
• When light strikes the silicon, a certain amount
  of the light is absorbed
• The energy from the light is transferred to the
  semiconductor, which knocks the electrons loose
  allowing them to flow freely

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How Does it Work?

• These PV cells have electric fields which makes
  the electrons flow in a certain direction
• This flow of electrons is a current. By placing
  metal contacts to the top and bottom of the PV
  cells, we can harness the energy and use it
  externally

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Different Solar Cells
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How Solar Cells Are Used
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Technological Obstacles

• Requires a large amount of silicon to produce
• If there is a shortage of silicon the prices will
  rise rapidly
• Solar cells require a flat surface to be placed
  on like roofs or places where it can disturb
  wildlife

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Political Obstacles

• Solar cells cost a large amount of money to
  produce
• Since most research is done by private companies,
  giant corporations buy out the companies in order
  to keep the technology out of major production

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Negative Environmental Impacts

• The manufacture of solar cells requires the use
  of toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, and
  cadmium
• One of the by products of producing solar cells
  is carbon dioxide

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Sources

• http//www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/08022
  5090826.htm
• http//www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
• http//www.associatedcontent.com/article/95931/sol
  ar_power_the_obstacles_and_benefits_pg2.html?cat1
  5
• http//www.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2006/solar_
  cell.jpg
• http//www.girasolar.com.tr/img/content/sol_basics
  _diag1.gif
• http//www.rics.org/NR/rdonlyres/24D71D5C-2AAF-42F
  1-A675-983958C32A39/0/solar_panel.jpg
• http//www.abc.net.au/reslib/200710/r192770_728153
  .jpg
• http//www.capitalsolaruk.co.uk/img/solar-house.jp
  g
• http//www.solarpowerhomesblog.net/wp-content/uplo
  ads/2009/04/solar-power-house-2.jpg