What Is Photovoltaic?

What does photovoltaic mean? The word of photovoltaic is a combination of two Greek words:

Photo = Light

Voltaic = Electricity

Photovoltaic (PV) energy is a technology to directly convert light energy into electrical energy. When light with suitable energy strikes the PV material, electrons (negatively charged) and holes (positively charged) are formed within the material. When connected to an external conducting path, the circuit is complete, thus providing useful electrical energy for powering up an electric load.

Currently, mono-crystalline silicon and poly-crystalline silicon occupy 80% to 90% of the PV market.

Nomenclature of photovoltaic

(1) Cell: Basic unit forming PV module.

(2) Module: A series of PV cells and commonly called "panel".

(3) String: A series connection of PV modules.

(4) Array: A combination of PV strings.