What is the basic principle of a solar cell?

The basic principle of a solar cell lies in its ability to convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. This process involves the absorption of photons from sunlight by a semiconductor material, typically silicon, which causes electrons to become excited and generate a flow of electric current.

When sunlight strikes the solar cell, its energy frees electrons from their atomic bonds, thus creating free charge carriers. The arrangement of p-type and n-type semiconductor layers in the solar cell creates an internal electric field that drives these free electrons towards the electrical contacts, ultimately leading to electricity generation.

This basic principle differentiates solar cells from other technologies, such as batteries or thermal generators. While batteries store electrical energy and thermal cycles involve heat for electricity generation, solar cells directly harness solar energy without intermediary processes involving heat or energy storage.