Spherical Solar Cell Production Breakthrough :: Oblate Spheroid

Solar cells use the property of semiconductors,
which generate an internal charge when they receive light. Currently the
mainstream "silicon solar cells" comprise two types of semiconductors with
different electrical properties - n-type and p-type - connected to one another
(see diagram). When the surface where p-type and n-type semiconductors are
joined receives light energy, free electrons (negative) and holes (positive) are
generated, and the internal electrical field at the pn junction causes the
electrons to move to the n-type semiconductor, and the holes to move to the
P-type semiconductor. If the electrodes on the two types of semiconductor are
connected by an external wire (see diagram), electrons move along the wire, i.e.
current is generated. Caption & Image Credit: Kyosemi Corporation