Low-CO₂ power plant technologyEnergy direct from light

In photovoltaic installations, electricity is generated directly from electromagnetic energy from the sun. This occurs in ultra-thin layers that act as semiconductors. Within these layers, negative and positive charges are separated and, via an electrical conductor, enable an electric current to flow. This current is either fed directly into the electricity grid or is stored. Photovoltaics produces very low emissions and the sun “doesn’t send a bill” when it shines – whereby the lack of sunlight is a problem at night and in northern latitudes. Its greatest disadvantage, however, lies in the low efficiency of the relatively expensive solar cells, which leads to higher-than-average generation costs per kilowatt-hour.