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How Solar Panels work

Solar panels work by converting photons (light) into electrons (electricity). Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made of special materials called semiconductors (such as silicon), consisting of a large-area p-n junction diode. When light strikes the cell, a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the semiconductor. This energy knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely, thus creating current (electricity). This current, together with the cell's voltage (which is a result of its built-in electric field or fields), defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can produce.

For a more in-depth view of how solar panels work, see this entry in the wikipedia.

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