Solar radiation to power conversion

How can solar energy be converted into electricity?

This article presents selected methods of converting solar energy into electricity: photovoltaic cells (PV), converters which use photon-enhanced thermionic emission (PETE), and near-field enhanced thermionic energy conversion systems (NETEC).

How do solar cells convert sunlight into electricity?

Sunlight can be directly converted into electricity in solar cells via the photovoltaic (PV) effect. This chapter examines the fundamental mechanisms behind this energy conversion process. PV conversion will only occur in a device exhibiting two necessary behaviors.

How do photovoltaic cells convert solar energy?

Photovoltaic cells (made of semiconductor material) absorb photons, elementary particles present in sunlight. The absorbed photons excite the electrons present in the photovoltaic cell and the movement of these electrons generates an electric current. In solar thermal conversion, solar energy is stored in the form of thermal energy.

How do solar photons convert into energy?

Figure 1. Solar photons convert naturally into three forms of energy—electricity, chemical fuel, and heat—that link seamlessly with existing energy chains. Despite the enormous energy flux supplied by the Sun, the three conversion routes supply only a tiny fraction of our current and future energy needs.

What is solar thermal conversion?

In solar thermal conversion, solar energy is stored in the form of thermal energy. The solar thermal energy system uses solar thermal collector panels to capture the sun׳s heat and transfer it to a fluid (usually water). The liquid is heated to a certain temperature.

What is photovoltaic conversion?

The process of directly converting sunlight into electricity without using a heat engine is known as photovoltaic conversion. The fundamental benefit of photovoltaic devices is that they are made as standalone systems, allowing them to provide outputs ranging from microwatts to megawatts.