Which term describes the buildup of opposite charges on connected plates during photovoltaic action?

The term that describes the buildup of opposite charges on connected plates during photovoltaic action is polarization. In photovoltaic systems, when light strikes the semiconductor material, it generates electron-hole pairs that may lead to the separation of charges. Due to this separation, one side of the semiconductor will accumulate a positive charge (holes), and the other side will accumulate a negative charge (electrons). This charge separation is what creates an electric field, enabling the flow of current when the material is connected in a circuit.

Polarization specifically refers to the generation of opposing charges, which is an essential aspect of how photovoltaic cells operate, converting light energy into electrical energy. This action can be considered as the alignment of charges rather than a static condition, as is noted in other related phenomena.

While capacitance relates to the ability of a system to store charge, it is not the process specifically describing the charge separation occurring in photovoltaic action. Induction refers to the influence of a charged object on another without direct contact, and photoconduction involves changes in the conductivity of a material due to light exposure, not explicitly focusing on the charge distribution like polarization does. Each of these concepts is distinct and plays different roles in electrical principles.