Photovoltaic cells harness one of the oldest and rawest forms of energy available to us: solar power. However, many questions about photovoltaic cells still linger because the solar energy market is so new. The technology dates back to the 1950s, but the application of photo-electric materials has only recently become popular. This is due primarily to the global demand for alternative energy solutions.
- The technology behind solar panels and photovoltaic cells comes from the photo-electric effect. In 1839, French physicist Edmund Bequerel discovered that certain materials have an electric reaction when exposed to light. Albert Einstein later won a Nobel Prize for his understanding of photovoltaic principles. The first actual photovoltaic module was created by Bell Laboratories in 1954. NASA's website asserts that the technology has essentially remained the same. Photovoltaic cells are usually made of silicon, and have layers of semi-conductor materials with electrical properties. Each side of the cell is "doped" with elements that influence the cell's electrical charge. One side is doped with boron to produce a positive charge, while the other side is doped with phosphorus to create a negative charge. These two sides create an electrical field, or a junction. When light passes through this electrical junction, electrons are freed in the silicon wafer. These free-flo wing electrons can then be transferred as electrical power to an external circuit.
- The market for photovoltaic technology has shown a steady growth pattern, allowing older companies to expand while also providing fresh opportunities for new solar businesses. Norway-based Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) has become one of the world's leading producers of silicon wafers in a relatively short amount of time. REC was established in 1996 and already operates in three different countries. Petroleum giant BP is one of the pioneers in photovoltaic cells. In 1973, the company formed a subsidiary, called BP Solar, which is a major installer and manufacturer of photovoltaic modules. Sharp Solar leads the pack as the world's largest manufacturer of solar cells. They began making photovoltaic modules as far back as 1959, and are credited with making the first solar-powered calculators.
- Solar energy is a relatively new field, with very few competitive businesses offering photovoltaic modules to consumers. The early years of solar energy were rife with claims that photovoltaic technology would never be cost-effective for the average consumer. However, a recent report in Science Daily confirms that the overall price of photovoltaic modules is declining at a rapid rate. This decline is due in part to government incentives for the solar market, which help drive down the costs. The report also concludes that an increase in federal income tax credit in 2006 accounted for an after-tax incentive of $3.90 per watt in 2007, which is an all-time high. Research conducted by the Department of Energy at their Berkeley Lab asserts that the overall decline in the cost of photovoltaics is due to growth of the system and lower costs in labor, marketing and company overhead.
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