Photovoltaics (PV) and photovoltaic cell technology have been around for decades, but with a continuously growing population and the ever-increasing need for alternative sources of power, the world is looking to solar energy for some of its needs. Photovoltaic solar cells are becoming more popular in various fields, and the variety of applications keeps widening. Businesses dealing with these products will benefit from them in the coming years, whether from distribution or internal use.

But what are they? How do they work? This guide will take you through some information covering solar photovoltaic cells basics so that you can decide how to implement them in your business. Read the steps below to determine:

1. What PV cells are

2. How photovoltaic cell technology works

3. Applications for photovoltaic cell manufacturers and customers

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gain some basic knowledge of photovoltaic solar cells

Photovoltaic cell technology makes use of the sun's energy to produce power; light and heat become captured by the semiconducting material (usually silicon) in the cells, which transform them into an electric current. This current can go into storage or the producer can distribute it to households, businesses or equipment, cutting down on the need for other electricity producers.

I recommend: Enhance your education in photovoltaic cells basics by checking out an introductory video provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. You can then read up on the cells by going through the information available at SearchCIO-Midmarket.com, which details some of the elements of the cells.

Learn about the elements of PV cells and how they work

The more intricate workings of photovoltaic solar cells involve the harnessing of photons from sunlight. When photons hit the cell, which is set up to capture the energy and has a connection to a circuit, electrons become dislodged from the cell and travel across the circuit, which is the essence of electricity.

I recommend: Read more details about how PV cells function by checking out the explanations provided by Science @ NASA and Howstuffworks.com. NASA has diagrams that help convey the information in a simple way, and Howstuffworks has related articles where you can further your knowledge.

Get to know about applications for PV as a photovoltaic cells producer or buyer

Whether you want to save money by implementing products in your business or you plan to own or operate a photovoltaic cell manufacturing plant, get to know some of the applications the cells can be used for. Getting an idea for the range of uses - from small optoelectronics photovoltaic cells powering lights and tools to large arrays providing energy for your entire business - will help you realize their full advantage and/or give you insight into what your customers are looking for.

I recommend: Whether you fabricate or buy photovoltaic cells, learn about applications by perusing the information from the El Paso Solar Energy Association or getting the report from Research and Markets, which details the solar technology photovoltaic cells power industry and market sector.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Considering large-scale implementations of photovoltaic cell technology has a big caveat: though your long-term costs will be lowered due to decreased dependence on buying energy, the initial price is considerable. Make sure your budget can handle the short-term crunch and wait to recover the cost in the future.

Photovoltaic cells are used in solar power generating systems ranging from heavy industrial building mounted arrays to individual landscape lights. The largest United States market for optoelectronic photovoltaic cells centers around integrated construction roofing and window materials, followed by large project applications that use generators and battery powered storage. Solar technology photovoltaic cells power residential and municipal systems as well as remote, off-grid systems.

Industry terminology for photovoltaic cell arrays includes "off-grid domestic," which are arrays used to power houses and villages with no access to an electrical grid. "Off-grid commercial non-domestic," refers to arrays used for navigation, telecommunications, water generators and remote refrigeration of vaccines. "Grid-connected distributed," are arrays that supplement power to a business or residence that is connected to the local electrical grid, or that feed supplemental power directly into a grid. When buying photovoltaic cells, also known as pv cells, and cell systems, consider the following:

1. Base the purchase of photovoltaic cells that are integrated with building and construction materials on cost efficiency, durability and power output.

2. Look for medium-sized grid-connected or interactive pv cell systems that are appropriate for both commercial and consumer use.

3. Consider off-grid power systems for municipal and consumer use to tap the purchasing power of state and local governments who use solar energy to power rural and highway roadwork, and individual consumers without grid connections.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find industrial strength solar power with construction or building pv cells

Industrial photovoltaic cell products integrate with building and construction materials.

I recommend: Purchase solar-enabled glass for commercial curtain wall facades as well as commercial interior architectural glass through a distribution partnership with HelioVolt. Their thin film solar energy collection modules are "printable" onto any size or shape of virtually any substrate. Provide commercial and residential clients with solar roofing tiles for new construction or re-roofing from Lumeta Solar. Lumeta manufactures a solar "S" curve roof tile that looks like terra cotta roof tile, flat tile and the seamless solar panel system PowerPly. Partner with Global Solar Energy for thin, film solar shingles. GSE's thin film solar cells are flexible, mountable and portable to satisfy even the most unique client's needs.

Get versatile grid-tied and grid-interactive photovoltaic cell systems

Offer a wide range of grid-tied and grid-interactive photovoltaic solar cell systems to your clients.

I recommend: Contact United Solar Ovonic, whose photovoltaic cell manufacturing plant produces a photovoltaic laminate for commercial, residential and municipal systems that holds a significant technological advancement over iron sulfide photovoltaic cells. AEE Solar wholesales both grid-tied and grid-interactive systems through its licensed dealers. AEE Solar is a photovoltaic cells producer that provides sales training and tech support.

Locate photovoltaic cell manufacturers of off-grid systems

Buy solar cell systems that support off-grid applications such as rural telephone systems, highway call boxes, remote telecom repeaters and fiber-optic amplifiers, street and highway warning signals as well as the message boards that portable photovoltaic cells power.

I recommend: Register as a dealer with Wholesale Solar and qualify for special pricing. Scroll through the extensive list of products the company supplies on the dealer registration page. Partner with BP Solar and gain access to their wide range of builder and retailer support.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Optoelectronics photovoltaic cells are thin, flexible and mountable to nearly any substrate allowing solar technology to incorporate into construction in ways consumers never dreamed of. Help customers incorporate solar photovoltaic cells into their residential and corporate cultures, and then help them buy photovoltaic cells configured to their needs and budget.

Employing the photovoltaic effect, photovoltaic cells (also called PV cells or solar cells) are semiconductor devices designed to convert solar energy into electricity. Driven by the demand for greener energy technologies as well as more economical power generation, research in PV cell technology has been brisk, having moved into its third technological generation.

Single-junction devices were replaced by thin film devices employing CdTe, DSC, or CIGS-CIS that had higher conversion efficiencies. In an effort to achieve higher efficiencies, these technologies are now giving way to newer technologies like silicon nanostructures, thermoelectric cells, hot carrier cells and up/down converters. Consequently, it is necessary for developers to stay abreast of these emerging technologies. To learn more about the latest in photovoltaic cell technology, let the following be your guide.

1. Obtain photovoltaic cells education and training.

2. Make sure entry level employees are knowledgeable in the basics of photovoltaic cell array systems.

3. Get up to speed on the codes and standards governing photovoltaic cells and systems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Obtain photovoltaic cells education and training

A number of colleges and universities offer continuing education courses on solar energy, covering everything from the design of solar cells to optimizing the efficiency of solar systems. Students will also learn how to calculate the break even point and return on investment in case you or a client intends to buy solar cell array systems, depending on the size and complexity of the applications.

I recommend: New Mexico State University's Southwest Region Experiment Station (SWRES) is a three-acre R&D facility for photovoltaic systems, funded by Sandia Nat'l Laboratories. It's an excellent place to pursue training in the latest photovoltaic cell technologies. Florida Solar Energy Center offers a week-long course designed for engineers, utilities, electricians and contractors on designing and building solar technology photovoltaic cells power systems.

Send new employees to obtain a NABCEP PV Entry Level Certificate for working with solar cell systems

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) provides entry level certifications for newcomers to the solar industry who wish to work for photovoltaic cell manufacturers or installation companies. Applicants are tested at a basic level on all facets of solar module technology, system design, PV markets, safety and performance analysis. This certification does not replace electrician, technician or engineering training.

I recommend: Boots on the Roof offers training and exam preparation to obtain the NABCEP PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge for basic work with solar photovoltaic cells. The National Electrical Contractors Association offers additional information about the NABCEP PV Entry Level Certificate.

Familiarize yourself with the codes and standards governing photovoltaic cells and systems

As with any area of engineering, the field of optoelectronics, photovoltaic cells being a major part, there are codes and standards that must be followed to ensure that components and systems will be constructed safely and will operate safely. They also help ensure that systems comprising photovoltaic cells will operate with optimal efficiency.

I recommend: PV Resources has a website that contains links to the EN, IEC, JRC and IEEE standards governing the design, testing and use of photovoltaic solar cells. Sandia National Laboratories provides a comprehensive list of links to codes and standards related to photovoltaic cells and systems. The Georgia Institute of Technology has a very educational news release describing the new technology of iron sulphide photovoltaic cells, which offer improved efficiency, smaller size and reduced complexity for solar systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  According to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), you can obtain 65% efficiency by using photovoltaic cells based on nanocrystals called 'quantum dots', as opposed to only a 33% efficiency from traditional photovoltaic cells and is consequently an important focus area for solar power research and training.

A photovoltaic cell refers to a device that converts light from an unspecified source directly into electricity. Photovoltaic cells that are specifically designed to use light from the sun may also be called solar cells. Manufacturers also may use other names to refer to assemblies of solar cells, such as solar arrays, solar modules, solar panels or photovoltaic arrays. First generation solar cells comprise the great majority of solar cells in commercial use and are currently approaching the theoretical efficiency limit of 33 percent.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Photovoltaic Array (PVA)

A PVA consists of a group of photovoltaic modules that function as a single unit. A photovoltaic module is an interconnected assembly of individual photovoltaic cells that may also be called a solar panel.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy provides extensive resources on photovoltaic cells, including a glossary of terms, such as photovoltaic array.

Open circuit voltage

The open circuit voltage of a photovoltaic cell is the maximum voltage that it produces without a load. This value is a common measure of performance for voltaic cells.

I recommend: Sandia National Laboratories actively promotes the use of photovoltaic cells and offers a glossary of common terms that relate to photovoltaic cells, including open circuit voltage.

Direct current (DC)

DC current refers to an electrical current with constant direction and magnitude. Photovoltaic cells produce DC current, which must be converted into DC current for household use.

I recommend: Solar City installs solar panels that use photovoltaic cells and also defines a variety of terms that relate to photovoltaic cells, such as direct current.

Photovoltaic effect

The photovoltaic effect occurs when electrons are emitted from matter after it is struck by photons. Photovoltaic cells use this phenomenon to produce electricity.

I recommend: Semiconductor Glossary offers a variety of resources for photovoltaic cells, including a definition of the photovoltaic effect.

Bypass diode

A bypass diode connects the solar cells in a photovoltaic module. This may serve several purposes, usually to protect them from overheating. Bypass diodes are an essential component of photovoltaic cells.

I recommend: Big Frog Mountain offers solar energy products, such as photovoltaic cells, and also has a glossary of related terms like bypass diode.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPVs)

BIPVs must be carefully positioned to make maximum use of the available sunlight throughout the year. These assemblies of photovoltaic cells perform most efficiently when sunlight strikes the cells at a right angle.

I recommend: Sunlight Electric designs systems that contains photovoltaic cells and also offers a glossary of terms that relate to solar energy, including BIPV.