We know that I-V characteristics of a solar cell are described through the following equation :
[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/weNoz.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/weNoz.jpg)

This equation can be translated graphically to the following (ideal) circuit :

[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CTu4U.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CTu4U.png)

Now according to the following equation and circuit, the solar cell current consists of two-component currents, one is for the diode current Id and the other due to the light generated current IL. Now I have the following questions :

1. I think that I am confused about the understanding of the operation of the solar cells. According to my understanding, the solar cell depends on the light generated current that is generated due to photons energy. This current is simply due to the minority carriers generated in each semiconductor region ( p and n) and this current is supported by the built-in voltage and exists between the p and n regions. Also, the solar cell depends on the diode current ID that simply represents the portion of the IL lost by recombination in the bulk region before reaching the depletion region. This discussion was according to the formula above I=ID+IL and also my discussion agrees with the fact that the solar cell is a source not a passive. So do I understand right?
2. V in the above equation represents the built-in voltage which is around 0.6 v for silicon as we know. Now this means that we need to apply an 0.6v across the solar cell to make it work? If we do so then the sollar cell will not become a source because now we have inserted some sort of electrical energy to it although it should solely depend on light energy?
3. In the above equation there are two quantities Io and IL, the reverse saturation current and the light-generated current. The reverse situation current is the current that flows in the opposite direction due to the minority carriers but this is the same as IL as I have discussed above, then what are the differences between them?