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He named this phenomenon the "photovoltaic effect". This has since formed the basic process in which a solar cell converts sunlight into electricity.
He named this phenomenon the "photovoltaic effect". This has since formed the basic process in which a solar cell converts sunlight into electricity.
=== Uunderstanding a semiconductor ===
=== Understanding a semiconductor ===
A semiconductor is a material that conducts current, but only partly. The conductivity of a semiconductor is somewhere between that of an insulator, which has almost no conductivity, and a conductor, which has almost full conductivity. Most semiconductors are crystals made of certain materials. E.g., Silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, etc.
A semiconductor is a material that conducts current, but only partly. The conductivity of a semiconductor is somewhere between that of an insulator, which has almost no conductivity, and a conductor, which has almost full conductivity. Most semiconductors are crystals made of certain materials. E.g., Silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, etc.
[[File:PV effect 2.png|none|thumb]]
[[File:PV effect 2.png|none|thumb]]
[[File:PV effect 3.png|none|thumb]]
[[File:PV effect 3.png|none|thumb]]
Since no free charge carriers can rest in a position where there is a potential barrier, the regions on either sides of the junction now become completely depleted of any more free carriers in comparison to the N and P type materials further away from the junction. This zone around the '''PN Junction''' is now called the '''Depletion''' Layer.
Since no free charge carriers can rest in a position where there is a potential barrier, the regions on either sides of the junction now become completely depleted of any more free carriers in comparison to the N and P type materials further away from the junction. This zone around the '''PN Junction''' is now called the '''Depletion''' Layer.
[[File:PV effect 4.png|none|thumb]]
As the N-type material has lost electrons and the P-type has lost holes, the N-type material has become positive with respect to the P-type which has also turned negative.
As the N-type material has lost electrons and the P-type has lost holes, the N-type material has become positive with respect to the P-type which has also turned negative.
[[File:PV effect 6.png|none|thumb]]
==== Generating current with Photons. ====
==== Generating current with Photons. ====
Now that we understand the concept of depletion layer and the electric field generated. We now represent this basic diode form in the normal way a PV module was created.
Now that we understand the concept of depletion layer and the electric field generated. We now represent this basic diode form in the normal way a PV module was created.
[[File:PV effect 6ok.png|center|thumb]]
[[File:PV effect current.png|none|thumb]]
How then is the electric current generated?
How then is the electric current generated?