What is the difference between photodiode and solar cell

Like in the photoelectric effect, photons that hit the material transfer their energy to electrons as long as the photons carry enough energy. Different to the photoelectric effect, the electrons are not ejected; instead, they move from the material's valence band to its conduction band.

In this way, light energy carried by photons is converted to electrical energy carried by electrons. A photodiode, like a solar cell, is a photovoltaic semiconductor device. Photodiodes, however, are optimized for light detection while solar cells are optimized for energy conversion efficiency. In this section, we focus on photodiodes because you are likely to use them in the lab. Photodiodes are essentially identical to diodes since both consist of p-n junctions. The difference is that a diode's p-n junction is usually covered in opaque packaging, while a photodiode's p-n junction is exposed to light through transparent packaging.

In this way, photons hitting the p-n junction can stimulate a photovoltaic effect in the photodiode and change its electrical behavior. ECE Introduction to Electronics. Compass2g LMS. Contact Us. ECE Course Notes. Learn It! Explore More. Solar Power The Sun emits energy as electromagnetic radiation across a range of wavelengths. Figure 1. Image source. Next SlideShares.

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Elizabeth Howell. Aabid Gadoo. Sakshi Swarnkar. Kiran Padhy. Ming Huang Chen. Show More. Views Total views. Actions Shares. No notes for slide. Solar Cells versus Photodiode 1. Biasing 2 February 4 Solar Cells Photodiode Apply bias spend energy to measure photocurrent generated by light shining on the photodetector. Main difference between solar cell and photodiode: Solar cells are more concerned with the amount of absorbed photons absorption efficiency than with the reaction time.

In general, photodiodes are used in electronics as components used in remote controls for receiving and detecting infrared signals. Solar cells are primarily intended to generate electricity by converting sunlight into electricity.