How Do Photovoltaic Cells Generate Electricity?

A photovoltaic (PV) cell is a semiconductor device with light-to-electricity conversion characteristics. It directly converts solar radiation energy into direct current (DC) electricity and is the most basic unit of photovoltaic power generation. The unique electrical characteristics of a PV cell are achieved by doping crystalline silicon with certain elements (such as phosphorus or boron), which creates a permanent imbalance in the molecular charges of the material, forming a semiconductor material with special electrical properties. Under sunlight, free charges are generated inside this semiconductor with special electrical properties. These free charges move directionally and accumulate, creating an electromotive force at its two ends. When the two ends are connected by a conductor, an electric current is produced. This phenomenon is called the "photovoltaic effect", also known as the "light-generated volt effect".

Solar power generation principle diagram