What is photovoltaic solar energy? You've heard the term, but you're not sure what it means. You vaguely know that solar energy has something to do with producing energy from sunlight. But what is photovoltaic solar energy? Is it different from other types of solar energy? Photovoltaic solar energy is different from other types. Among the two main categories of solar energy, active and passive, photovoltaic solar energy is active. Let's look at this. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essaySolar PanelActive solar energy relies on solar panels. You can imagine them as flat, rectangular boxes on rooftops. There are two main types of solar panels. From a distance, both look like rectangular boxes. Both convert sunlight into energy, but in two different ways. The terms for the two types of solar panels are solar thermal collector and photovoltaic module. Solar thermal collector: This solar panel absorbs solar energy from the sun and uses it to heat air or water. Photovoltaic module: This second type of solar panel collects solar energy. energy and converts it into usable electricity.Meet PVTo answer the question, what is solar PV, we need to know what PV is. The short answer is that PV refers to a photovoltaic module. “P” is for photo and “V” is for voltaic. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines “photovoltaic” this way. of, relating to or utilizing the generation of voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between different substances. “In simpler terms, “photo” refers to sunlight and “voltaic” refers to electrical energy. Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electrical energy. Sunlight enters the solar panel. Electrical energy comes out of the solar panel. A photovoltaic solar panel is made up of many photovoltaic cells (from light to volts). These cells are electrically connected and then covered with glass. The glass provides electrical insulation. It is also a good protection against bad weather and other damaging forces. When minimal energy is needed, such as that needed to power a small appliance, a single photovoltaic solar panel is sufficient. When more power is needed, a “network” of solar panels is created by connecting the panels to each other. If electricity is not supplied to the grid, the solar panel(s) are connected to a charge controller and the battery. If it is intended to be used on the grid, the solar panel will be connected to an electrical inverter. Solar photovoltaic energy is solar energy in the form of sunlight, which has been collected by a photovoltaic module and converted into usable electricity. Conventional silicon solar panels convert about 14 to 17 percent of sunlight into usable electricity. It's not much. However, at the end of 2006, a new solar cell was introduced. Solar panels that use the new cell can convert 22% of the sunlight they collect into electricity. Theoretically, the maximum a solar panel's cells can convert is about 26-27% of incoming sunlight. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Trial How It Works..