cells (1 Viewer)

[1234567]

what's the big difference between photocells, solar cells , and photovoltaic cells

 

[BlackJack]

I've met different descriptions before on photocells and photovoltaic cells... so there IS a difference (maybe in the way it's built, photocells might be simpler). More studious people must be summoned to this thread...

 

[kaseita]

well, solar cells are photovoltaic cells, just a more specified name for a specified purpose...namely easier to say
I just kinda assumed that photocells were photovolatic cells.

but I just found a site, that sorta gives the difference. apparently a photocell is a variable resistor, so when light falls on it, its resistance is reduced.
read for yourselves.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/art.mcewen/binpc.htm

 

[SuperNova]

both photocells and solar cells are photovoltaic cells

photocells are those that use photoelectric effect to convert light into electric energy eg in automatic switches

solar cells are those which use p-n junction (semiconductors)

yeah i think thats wat it is