Photosynthesis Vs Photovoltaic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Photosynthesis Vs Photovoltaic - Essay Example Plant cell converts sunlight into chemical energy by the photosynthesis process and solar cell converts it directly into electrical energy which is then used by humans. Photosynthesis is a natural process which is automatically carried out in all plants but electricity generation by solar cells is an artificial procedure. Solar cells need to be installed for this purpose and it requires much investment. Therefore, they are much expensive as compared to the plant cell. Another significant difference between both cells is that the bad photosynthetic cell can repair itself whereas there is no such provision in case of solar cells.  Both photosynthesis and photovoltaic energy conversion systems deal with transfer and conversion of heat energy into another form. Thus both systems should show compatibility with the Laws of Thermodynamics. The first law of thermodynamics accounts for the energy conservation of heat systems i.e. energy cannot be created nor destroyed, it only transforms fr om one form to another. According to, â€Å"A change in the internal energy of a closed thermodynamic system is equal to the difference between the heat supplied to the system and the amount of work done by the system on its surroundings†. Both plant and solar cells do not create energy but rather convert one form (solar irradiation) of energy into another. A certain amount of "transformation energy" will be used as the molecules of the "working body" do work on each other when they change from one state to another.