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Photovoltaics (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using | '''Photovoltaics''' (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting [[solar radiation]] into [[direct current]] [[electricity]] using [[semiconductor]]s that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs [[solar panel]]s comprising a number of [[solar cell|cells]] containing a photovoltaic material. Materials presently used for photovoltaics include [[monocrystalline silicon]], [[polycrystalline silicon]], [[amorphous silicon]], [[cadmium telluride]], and [[copper indium selenide]]/sulfide.<ref name=jac/> Due to the growing demand for [[renewable energy]] sources, the manufacturing of solar cells and [[photovoltaic array]]s has advanced considerably in recent years.<ref name="German PV market">[http://www.solarbuzz.com/FastFactsGermany.htm German PV market]</ref><ref name="renewableenergyaccess.com">[http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47861 BP Solar to Expand Its Solar Cell Plants in Spain and India]</ref><ref name="technologyreview.com">[http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17025&ch=biztech Large-Scale, Cheap Solar Electricity]</ref> | ||
As of 2010, solar photovoltaics generates electricity in more than 100 countries and, while yet comprising a tiny fraction of the 4.8 TW total global power-generating capacity from all sources, is the fastest growing power-generation technology in the world. Between 2004 and 2009, grid-connected PV capacity increased at an annual average rate of 60 percent, to some 21 GW.[ | |||
Driven by advances in technology and increases in manufacturing scale and sophistication, the cost of photovoltaics has declined steadily since the first solar cells were manufactured.[ | As of 2010, solar photovoltaics generates electricity in more than 100 countries and, while yet comprising a tiny fraction of the 4.8 [[Orders of magnitude (power)#terawatt (1012 watts)|TW]] total global power-generating capacity from all sources, is the fastest growing power-generation technology in the world. Between 2004 and 2009, [[Grid-connected PV electric system|grid-connected PV]] capacity increased at an annual average rate of 60 percent, to some 21 [[Orders of magnitude (power)#gigawatt (109 watts)|GW]].<ref name=ren2010>[[REN21]]. [http://www.ren21.net/globalstatusreport/REN21_GSR_2010_full.pdf Renewables 2010 Global Status Report] p. 19.</ref> Such installations may be ground-mounted (and sometimes integrated with farming and grazing)<ref name="huliq.com">[http://www.huliq.com/18313/ge-invests-delivers-one-of-worlds-largest-solar-power-plants GE Invests, Delivers One of World's Largest Solar Power Plants]</ref> or built into the roof or walls of a building, known as [[Building-integrated photovoltaics|Building Integrated Photovoltaics]] or BIPV for short.<ref name="Building integrated photovoltaics">[http://www.buildingsolar.com/technology.asp Building integrated photovoltaics]</ref> [[Off-grid]] PV accounts for an additional 3–4 GW.<ref name=ren2010/> | ||
Driven by advances in technology and increases in manufacturing scale and sophistication, the cost of photovoltaics has declined steadily since the first solar cells were manufactured.<ref>Richard M. Swanson. Photovoltaics Power Up, ''Science'', Vol. 324, 15 May 2009, p. 891.</ref> [[Net metering]] and financial incentives, such as preferential [[Feed-in Tariff|feed-in tariff]]s for solar-generated electricity, have supported solar PV installations in many countries. | |||
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Revision as of 03:44, 29 January 2011
Photovoltaics (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels comprising a number of cells containing a photovoltaic material. Materials presently used for photovoltaics include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium selenide/sulfide.[1] Due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacturing of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced considerably in recent years.[2][3][4]
As of 2010, solar photovoltaics generates electricity in more than 100 countries and, while yet comprising a tiny fraction of the 4.8 TW total global power-generating capacity from all sources, is the fastest growing power-generation technology in the world. Between 2004 and 2009, grid-connected PV capacity increased at an annual average rate of 60 percent, to some 21 GW.[5] Such installations may be ground-mounted (and sometimes integrated with farming and grazing)[6] or built into the roof or walls of a building, known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics or BIPV for short.[7] Off-grid PV accounts for an additional 3–4 GW.[5]
Driven by advances in technology and increases in manufacturing scale and sophistication, the cost of photovoltaics has declined steadily since the first solar cells were manufactured.[8] Net metering and financial incentives, such as preferential feed-in tariffs for solar-generated electricity, have supported solar PV installations in many countries.
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- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedjac - ↑ German PV market
- ↑ BP Solar to Expand Its Solar Cell Plants in Spain and India
- ↑ Large-Scale, Cheap Solar Electricity
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 REN21. Renewables 2010 Global Status Report p. 19.
- ↑ GE Invests, Delivers One of World's Largest Solar Power Plants
- ↑ Building integrated photovoltaics
- ↑ Richard M. Swanson. Photovoltaics Power Up, Science, Vol. 324, 15 May 2009, p. 891.