Solar Photovoltaic Energy
Direct conversion of sunlight into electricity using semiconductor devices (solar cells) that generate electrical current when exposed to light.
Formula
Efficiency (%) = (Electrical power output ÷ Solar irradiance × Panel area) × 100
Real World
Tesla's solar roof tiles, installed on over 100,000 homes in the USA, convert sunlight directly into household electricity, with each tile generating around 71.67 W/m² under standard test conditions.
Exam Focus
When asked to evaluate solar PV, include intermittency and storage limitations alongside benefits — incomplete evaluation loses AO2 marks.
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