Photo Voltaic Cell

Photo voltaic cell

Photo voltaic cell converts light energy into electrical energy. It acts as a cell. It consists of a metal layer of copper over which a semiconductor layer of cuprous oxide coated with a thing film of silver or gold. Light is allowed to fall on the silver and it illuminates the surface of the semiconductor. Photoelectrons are emitted from Cu₂O and are collected by the gold or silver film, thereby creating a potential difference between them and so when the silver and copper are connected by a load (R) current flows through it.