How Solar Panels Work

Each cell is a sandwich made from two slices of semiconductor material usually silicon.

How solar panels work.

Each slice of silicon gets an addition of material that will give it either a positive or negative charge. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century.

Solar energy works when the photons of an atom knock the electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. Ac energy then flows through the home s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly. Solar panels are made up of these small things called pv cells and many pv cells linked together make a solar panel.

Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. Each solar panel is made up of tons of individual photovoltaic cells. When you really break them down a solar panel is nothing more than a big sheet of glass over a metal frame with a patch of wiring that runs to your home s main. The slice on top gets phosphorus for a negative charge and the slice on bottom.