1) solar cell 2) solar photovoltaic cell a basic photovoltaic device which generates electricity when exposed to sunlight GRM: n. (1,2) Note: solar cells primarily use monocrystalline silicon; the use of polycrystalline silicon or amorphous silicon or other base materials as well as new methods of manufacture, e.g. in the form of bars, tends to lower the price of the cells References: SPEsolar thermoelectric converter SPEthermoelectric solar cell