TECHNOLOGY
The Solar Cell
As the smallest unit in photovoltaic (PV), the solar cell converts sunlight into electricity to produce direct current (DC), which passing through an inverter becomes alternating current (AC) to be fed to the electricity grid.
Classical PV cells and some thin films are made of silicon (Si). But other thin film materials such CdTe (cadmium telluride), CIGS (copper, indium, gallium, selenium) and DSC (dye-sensitized cells) are now gaining market share.
The Solar Module
Connected solar cells form an electrical unit resulting in a solar module, which is encapsulated in foil and glass for weather protection.
Typical framed or unframed glass pannels, but now also flexible modules, are used in roof-mounted, roof-integrated, free-standing or in façade-integrated deployments.
The Solar Energy Generator
Various connected PV modules forms strings, which combined result on a solar generator. Thus, today residential or commercial roof mounted deployments, as well as field standing solar installations generate kilowatts to megawatts of electrical energy.
The generated energy can be channeled directly into the public electrical grid or can be made available off-grid for direct usage on home appliances or electrical systems in remote areas.
