Solar (photovoltaic) cell, which converts light into electrical energy. The cell is made from silicon (blue), a semi-conductor. Because the silicon is

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Solar (photovoltaic) cell, which converts light into electrical energy. The cell is made from silicon (blue), a semi-conductor. Because the silicon is a semi-conductor, the energy of photons of light is enough to release electrons from the silicon. The electrons are collected through a grid of wires (white), forming an electrical current. This cell contains numerous small silicon crystals, and so is called a polycrystalline (amorphous) cell. It is less efficient than a single-crystal cell, but is far cheaper to manufacture. Solar power is an environmentally-friendly energy source and does not pollute or use up limited resources. Size of this cell: 10x10cm.

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Size: 5472px × 3648px
Photo credit: © ALFRED PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: alternative, apparatus, cell, close-, device, electrical, energy, engineering, environmentally, equipment, friendly, green, materials, photovoltaic, power, science, semiconductor, silicon, solar, technological, technology, wire, wires