How Do Solar Panels Work?

What are they made of?

Photovoltaic solar panels are used for most residential installations. These panels use silicon, a semiconductor, to generate energy. Silicon, also used in computers, is an expensive material responsible for about 60% of the overall cost of a solar electric system.

How do they work?

Solar panels collect solar radiation from the sun and actively convert that energy to electricity. The solar panels are made up of several individual solar cells that function similarly to large semiconductors. When the solar cells are exposed to sunlight, they convert the energy from sunlight into usable electrical energy. The energy generated from photons striking the surface of the solar panel causes electrons to be released, and electric fields in the solar cells pull these free electrons in a directional current. Metal contacts in the solar cell harness the directional current (DC) to generate electricity. This conversion of sunlight to usable electrical energy has been dubbed the Photovoltaic Effect.

How do homes get the power from them?

An inverter turns the DC power generated by the sun and the Photovoltaic Effect into alternating current (AC) which is usable energy that powers your home.