About the book: 1987 / The book describes the physical principles of operation, the main types of structures and the characteristics of the most efficient and small-sized converters of ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation from the Sun directly into electrical energy — solar cells (SC) from various semiconductor materials. The prospects for the widespread use of solar cells and batteries on Earth for environmentally friendly generation of electricity are shown. For a wide range of readers interested in solar energy issues.