Photovoltaic Cells
Boris Krassovski
Emerson Peacock
6th Period
What are Photovoltaic Cells?
• PV Cells use solar
power to create energy
• PV Cells are use in
calculators, on
satellites and to power
our own homes
http://www.princeton.edu/~chm333/2002/spring/SolarCells/images/pv%20cells.jpg
The goals of PV cells
• Like all alternative sources of energy,
the main goal of PV cells is to replace
fossil fuels as the main source of energy
• Another goal is to use the abundant
sunlight as an alternative due to its
endless amounts
Potential in Making a Difference
• Since sunlight is endless and very abundant
PV cells have very high potential to be a
primary source of energy
• It also creates jobs and strengthens the
economy since it is a brand new industry
• PV cells are very reliable and costs little to
build and operate
How it works and functions
• Solar cells directly convert sunlight into
energy
• A magnetic field is created that forces
electrons to move and that is what we
consider electricity
• Output of PV cells depends on weather
and the time of day
http://teams.eas.muohio.edu/solarpower/WhatIsSolarPower.html
Technological Obstacles
• Batteries are required to
store the electricity
produced by PV cells
which adds maintenance
problems
• Power is only produced
during daytime and highly
depends on the weather
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/utility_scale.html
Political and Economic Obstacles
• Large scale Photovoltaic
plants are costly and cost
more to maintain than
conventional power plants
• Batteries that are added in
order to store the power
produced are also very high
costing
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pv_use.html
Environmental Impacts
• There are no negative environmental
impacts with the use of PV cells because no
wastes are emitted
• Sunlight is highly abundant and free to use
therefore PV cells are very good for the
environment
• PV cells is one of the cleanest alternative
power sources available
Bibliography
• http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/to_envir
onment.html
• http://science.howstuffworks.com/solarcell.htm/printable
• http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_
electricity/basics/how_pv_cells_work.htm
• http://mhathwar.tripod.com/thesis/photovolt
aic_technology.html