definition
The photovoltaic effect is the creation of voltage and electric current in certain materials when exposed to light. This effect makes solar panels useful.
INVENTION
- In 1839, the French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel invented the photovoltaic cell and discovered the photovoltaic effect.
- He first constructed an electrochemical cell with platinum electrodes. Then, he illuminated the electrodes with sunlight and ultraviolet light and discovered that current flowed through the acidic solution and a voltage was generated.
- Here is a labelled diagram of his cell:
[ux_image_box img=”332″ image_width=”50″]
The platinum electrodes were coated with silver chloride or silver bromide.
[/ux_image_box]
inventor
Here is a photograph of Edmond Becquerel:
[ux_image id=”335″ width=”50″]