Submitted by elsbeth on Tue, 2009-10-27 19:07

A solar cell converts light energy into electrical energy, which can then be consumed normally. The process occurring in a solar cell is called photovoltaic conversion. This is how sunlight is converted into electricity.

Solar cells are not 100% efficient. At this time, the best small solar cells with optimum colour-sensitivity in laboratories have not exceeded 25% efficiency. Commercially available solar cells currently have efficiency rates of between 6% and 16%.