Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. Here is how they function step-by-step:
- Composition : Solar panels are made up of many solar cells, typically composed of silicon, a semiconductor material
- Photon absorption : When sunlight, which consists of particles called photons, hits the solar cells, the energy from the photons is absorbed by the silicon
- Electron excitation : This absorbed energy excites electrons in the silicon atoms, knocking them loose and creating free electrons and holes (positive charges)
- Electric field creation : Solar cells have two layers of silicon treated (doped) differently to create an electric field at the junction between them. This field directs the flow of the free electrons toward metal contacts on the cell
- Electric current generation : The movement of these free electrons through the silicon and out to the metal contacts generates a direct current (DC) of electricity
- Conversion to usable electricity : Since most homes and appliances use alternating current (AC), the DC electricity produced by the panels is sent to an inverter, which converts it into AC electricity that can power household devices or be fed into the electrical grid
In summary, solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy by exciting electrons in semiconductor materials and directing their flow to create an electric current, which is then made usable through an inverter
