Final Energy

Final energy refers to the form of energy that is available directly at the point of consumption and is used for the desired purpose. In the context of photovoltaics, the final energy is the electrical power that can be directly utilized after the conversion of sunlight by solar cells and further processing (e.g., by an inverter).

The path to final energy in a photovoltaic system:

1. Sunlight as primary energy: The sun emits electromagnetic waves that reach the Earth. A portion of this radiation is captured by solar cells.
2. Conversion to direct current: The photovoltaic effect occurs in the solar cells: Incoming light energy excites electrons in the cell's semiconductors, generating direct current (DC).
3. Inverter: To feed the generated direct current into the public electricity grid or use it directly in households, it is typically converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter.
4. Consumption of final energy: The produced alternating current can now be used for various electrical devices and applications, such as lighting, heating, or charging electric vehicles.

Final energy and efficiency:

The efficiency of a photovoltaic system is significantly determined by the proportion of solar energy converted into electrical final energy. Losses can occur, for example, due to reflections on the surface of solar modules, heat losses in the cells, or conversion losses in the inverter.

Relevant keywords: Photovoltaics, Solar Cell, Solar Module, Direct Current, Alternating Current, Inverter, Primary Energy, Efficiency, Solar Energy