Solar power generation is divided into solar thermal power generation and photovoltaic power generation. Generally, the mentioned solar power generation refers to photovoltaic power generation, “PV” for short. Photovoltaic power generation is a kind of technology which can convert solar energy into electric energy by means of photovoltaic effect on the semiconductor interface. Key element of this technology is solar cell. Solar cells after connected in series can be sealed for protection to form a large-area solar cell assembly which is used with power controller and other components to form photovoltaic power generation device.

Photovoltaic power generation products are mainly used in three aspects: First, providing power supply for applications with no electricity; second, solar daily electronic products, such as various solar chargers, solar street lamps and lawn lights; third, grid-connected power generation, which has experienced large-scale popularization and implementation in developed countries. By 2009, overall popularization of gird-connected power generation was not started. Yet, part of electricity used in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is from solar power generation and wind power generation.