päikeseelement

Päikeseelement, also known as a solar cell or photovoltaic cell, is a semiconductor device that converts light energy directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. When photons from sunlight strike the surface of a solar cell, they excite electrons in the semiconductor material, typically silicon. This excitation creates an electric current.

The basic structure of a päikeseelement consists of two layers of semiconductor material, usually silicon, treated to have different electrical properties. One layer is doped to be n-type, meaning it has an excess of free electrons, while the other is doped to be p-type, having an excess of "holes" (places where electrons are missing). When these two layers are joined, they form a p-n junction.

At the p-n junction, an electric field is created. When sunlight hits the cell, the energy from photons dislodges electrons, and the electric field at the junction pushes these electrons to one side and holes to the other, creating a potential difference or voltage. If an external circuit is connected across the cell, these electrons can flow through the circuit, generating direct current (DC) electricity.

Päikeseelementide are the fundamental building blocks of solar panels, which are arrays of many interconnected solar cells. These panels can be used to power homes, businesses, and a wide range of electronic devices, contributing to renewable energy generation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.