what is a solar cell?

like every good presentation we start with an introduction. what is solar energy which is the main cause for solar cells which brings about this student-initiated assignment?

solar energy:

• energy produced directly by the sun
• indirect source of all energies except geothermal energy, nuclear fissions and fusion
  

the sun creates its energy through a thermonuclear process that converts about 650,000,000 tons of hydrogen to helium every second. The process creates heat and electromagnetic radiation. The heat remains in the sun and is vital in maintaining the thermonuclear reaction. The electromagnetic radiation (including visible light, infra-red light, and ultra-violet radiation) streams out into space in all directions.

bibliography:

An Introduction to Solar Energy, 1988, eric w. brown, 3 June 2008, http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/feneric/solar.html

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