What type of current do photovoltaic cells convert?

Photovoltaic cells, commonly known as solar cells, are designed to convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. The electricity generated by these cells is in the form of direct current (DC).

This process works fundamentally by absorbing photons from sunlight, which energizes electrons in the cell and causes them to flow, generating a direct current. Since photovoltaic cells inherently produce DC, they are often paired with inverters when connected to the power grid or used in applications requiring alternating current (AC), which is the standard for home electricity and most electrical devices.

In contrast to options like alternating current, which reverses direction periodically, or high and low-frequency currents, which do not accurately represent the type of current generated by photovoltaic cells, the correct choice of direct current reflects the actual electrical output from these devices.