(1) Solar Cell Principles:

 Solar cells are components that are responsive to light and are able to convert luminous energy into electric power. There are many materials able to generate PV effects such as monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, noncrystalline silicon, gallium arsenide, CuInSe2, and many more. They each have similar principles of electricity generation. Crystalline silicon can be taken as an example to illustrate the process of PV power generation. P-type crystalline silicon will become n-type crystalline silicon after being mixed with phosphorus to form P-N junction.

(2) Application of Solar Power Generation:

 Firstly, solar PV power generation should be used to solve the lighting problems and the domestic power supply of villages without electricity. In the world there are two billion people with no access to electricity, especially in developing countries. China is the largest developing country and has a rural population of 800 million. There are 20,000 villages and over 1,000 islands without access to electricity all over the country. Additionally, the population with no regular energy supply amounts to 23 million. Solar cells can be used to serve those people. Beginning in 2002, related national ministries and commissions initiated “Electricity Access Program for Villages with No Electricity in Western Provinces.” The problem of lack of electricity access in villages with no electricity in seven provinces has been resolved through PV and small wind power generation. This project has greatly stimulated the solar power generation industry.

 Secondly, grid-connected solar power generation should be made use of. Grid-connected power generation using solar energy will reduce firepower electricity output in daytime peak hours.  Residents are able to generate electricity for their own use from solar energy, and they sell surplus electricity to the state grid, solving the problem of peaking power at the main power plants. With the progress of the technology in the manufacturing of solar cells and solar panels, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of PV cells will be greatly improved. Solar PV systems will likely develop from primary and small-scale independent power generation systems to advanced and large-scale solar power stations.
 

 Third, solar power generation can play a special role in regional dispersing of power utilization, such as independent power supply of fairway buoys, lighthouses, railway/highway signaling systems, microwave relay stations, mountain weather stations, border outposts, and so on.