/SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY
What is solar photovoltaic energy and how is it generated?
Solar photovoltaic energy provides clean electricity through the action of solar radiation on photovoltaic cells or sheets manufactured from semiconductor materials.
The generation of solar photovoltaic energy is based on the so-called photovoltaic effect, which occurs when light is directed onto semiconductor materials. This effect generates a flow of electrons and a difference in potential that can be harnessed to supply electricity for domestic consumption in isolated areas.
Furthermore, the electricity generated by photovoltaic panels can be fed into the electricity distribution grid. The procedure followed in such cases is: the photovoltaic panels generate low voltage electricity (between 380 and 800 volts), as direct current. This energy is subsequently transformed into alternating current by an inverter, following which it may be injected into the medium voltage grid.
A further alternative is to harness the energetic possibilities of solar radiation to power devices ranging from satellites to small objects such as wristwatches and calculators.