A Project by the University of Rosenheim
The term photovoltaics denotes the conversion of solar power into electric energy.
The conversion is achieved by utilizing the photovoltaic effect of photovoltaic power plants.
The photovoltaic effect occurs inside the solar cells, which are combined to form solar modules.
A solar cell comprises two adjacent layers, which have two metal contacts on their outer surfaces.
The layers contain different chemical substances and thus have different electric charges.
Between the differently charged layers, there is a boundary layer of 1/1000mm, and with the incidence of light the electrons absorb the energy from the light photons.
Because there is an electric field in the boundary layer, the electrons move towards the positive pole, where the energy can be tapped.
The generated electricity can be used directly on site, stored inside accumulators or fed into the electrical grid.
In order to be fed into the public power supply system, the direct current produced by the solar cells first has to be converted into alternating current by an inverter.