ABSTRACT
Photovoltaic (PV) energy is the electrical energy that is derived from the direct conversion of light. Photovoltaic technology is simple, easy to understand and easy to use. By using specially made solar cells – or PV cells – light is absorbed and transformed directly and continuously into an electric current, which can be used to power an electric circuit. Some semiconductors are sensitive to sunlight. Like a chemical storage battery, a PV cell produces electricity as direct current. A single PV cell by itself is of little interest except in powering small electronic devices such as watches and calculators. In order to increase the operating voltage of a PV system, the cells are connected in series to form a PV module. Mounting structures allow the PV modules to be mechanically stable and withstand the environmental conditions they are facing. A PV system consists of the complete set of equipment used to convert light into a useful form of electricity.
