An electric cell that uses the sun’s radiation to produce usable electric current. Most solar cells consist of a single-crystal silicon p–n junction. When photons of light energy from the sun fall on or near the semiconductor junction the electron–hole pairs created are forced by the electric field at the junction to separate so that the holes pass to the p-region and the electrons pass to the n-region. This displacement of free charge creates an electric current when a load is connected across the terminals of the device. Individual silicon solar cells cannot be made with a surface area much in excess of 4000 mm² and the maximum power delivered by such a cell is approximately 0.6 W at about 0.5 V in full sun. The efficiency of such devices is about 15%. For practical use, therefore, solar cells have to be assembled in arrays. Panels of solar cells have been the exclusive source of power for satellites and space capsules. Their use on earth has been largely limited by their high cost, a reduction in the cost by a factor of 10 being required to make them competitive with other energy sources at present.

Solar cell. Silicon p–n junction.