APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING LIGHT ENERGY INTO ELECTRIC ENERGY AND RESERVING THE SAME

摘要

An apparatus for convening light energy into electric energy and reserving the same comprises a photoelectric conversion unit 10 having an element 11 that generates an electromotive force by irradiation of light and a unit 30 for reserving electric energy generated by the photoelectric conversion unit 10. The element 11 comprises a ferroelectric crystal having a bulk photovoltaic effect such as BaTiO3, lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) or the like. Light energy is converted into electric energy having a voltage ranging from 10 V to several kV with high reliability to be efficiently reserved in the unit 30 which may be a secondary battery or a capacitor. The unit 30 is connected to a load 40 by means of a change-over switch 20.