ABSTRACT
For many people, solar energy is associated exclusively with warm, sunny climates; many more see it as a power source for the future. One solar power technology is the photovoltaic cell, a specially prepared semiconductor that is sensitive to sunlight. A single photovoltaic cell generates very little power, but a number of cells can be assembled into a module, in which cells are sandwiched between a flat sheet of glass and a protective plastic backing. Examination of the cell on a solar-powered calculator reveals the advantages of photovoltaic technology. Photovoltaic power is used for numerous cold-climate telecommunication and monitoring systems. The simplicity of photovoltaic systems permits them to be used in those remote locations where complex generators would break and no one would be able to repair them. Little expertise is required to maintain a photovoltaic system and little maintenance is required. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
