Photovoltaics

This chapter discusses the principles, history, and importance of photovoltaics. The physical effect which underlies photovoltaics was first observed by Becquerel in 1839, when he produced a current by exposing silver electrodes to radiation in an electrolyte. The effect was described in more detail by Adams and Day in 1877. The main driving force behind the widespread use of photovoltaics for terrestrial power supplies came in 1973 with the notorious oil shock. All the available options for cost reduction were examined, as it was already recognised that the excessive costs of photovoltaic plants posed the largest obstacle for the widespread use of photovoltaics. The operation of water pumps using photovoltaics is a viable application in this area. In the more distant future environmental concerns and the finite supply of fossil fuels make it certain that the sun will also be used for large scale power supplies.