Photovoltaic- technology

More than 160 years ago, scientists discovered that certain materials, known as semiconductors, could be used under certain conditions to conduct electricity. The very first devices that transformed light to electricity were developed at the end of the 19th century. However, the energy produced with those devices back then was still too low to be used for large-scale electricity production.

Research in this area first commenced during the preparation for the first space flights in the 1950s when scientists began looking for suitable materials for photovoltaic cells.  Very soon, they realized that the material known as silicon, a common element in sand. had the most suitable properties. Silicon is highly suited for the production of semiconductor elements, so-called solar cells.

The construction of solar cells
In order to generate electricity from silicon cells, electricity must be converted from DC to AC. This is why a solar cell consists of two emitters, one negatively and the other positively doped. Once sunlight hits a solar cell, a voltage effect between the two emitters occurs. Electrons are excited and electrical current flows to the poles and is converted to correct electricity. For this, a closed circuit, either for one single consumer or for a grid must be available.

As just one single solar cell would produce just very little electricity, solar cells are produced in sizes of  10 x 10 cm to 15 x 15 cm and connected to form solar modules.

As a protection against extreme weather conditions, the solar cells are laminated between a front glass plate and a backing material such as foil and permanently sealed. The sealed photovoltaic cells are now embedded in an aluminum frame, which gives it its required stability and the photovoltaic module is complete.