Photovoltaic cells – how they work

Olmedilla Photovoltaic Park in Olmedilla de Alarcón, SpainThis note was reviewed in October 2018 and retained for legacy. 

Energy analyst and photovoltaics (PV) lecturer Muriel Watt provides an up-to-date overview of PV technology and markets in Australia. Watt shows that new technologies and lower costs have allowed for the rapid expansion of PV’s urban applications. This paper will help practitioners understand basic design strategies to optimise performance and identify opportunities for integrating PV cells into the built environment.

note summary
  1. Introduction
  2. How solar cells work
  3. Photovoltaic cell types
  4. The Australian photovoltaic market
  5. Innovation
  6. Conclusion