What is photovoltaics?
Photovoltaics (PV) is the technology which generates electricity directly from sunlight via the photoelectric effect. A photovoltaic module (also called a PV module or a solar module), which is made up of photovoltaic cells, transforms solar energy into direct current (DC) electricity. Another solar energy technology is solar thermal. Solar thermal uses solar energy to generate heat rather than electricity.
Left: Photovoltaics – sunlight is converted into direct current (DC) electricity.
Right: Solar thermal – solar energy generates heat, e.g. hot water.
Electric systems which use photovoltaic modules are referred to as photovoltaic systems, PV systems or solar electric systems.
The electricity generated by photovoltaic modules can be fed into the electricity grid, stored in batteries for later use, or used directly. The amount of electricity produced depends mainly on the number and size of PV modules installed, and the solar irradiation where the solar electric system is located.