How Do Solar Panels Work......

When photons hit a solar cell, they knock electrons loose from their atoms. If conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of a cell, it forms an electrical circuit. When electrons flow through such a circuit, they generate electricity. Multiple cells make up a solar panel, and multiple panels (modules) can be wired together to form a solar array. The more panels you can deploy, the more energy you can expect to generate.



  
Each PV cell is basically a sandwich (not as tasty as a BLT admittedly) made up of two slices of semi-conducting material such as silicon. When light interacts with a silicon cell, it prompts electrons to be set in motion which initiate a flow of electric current known as the ‘photovoltaic effect’. 

You got distracted thinking about BLTs, didn’t you? Don’t worry, it happens. Let’s get back on topic and break down how it works: 

•Solar cells absorb incoming energy in the form of sunlight.  
•Electrons begin to flow, generating an electrical current. 
•Wiring captures the electrical current   and combines it with power from other solar cells. 

A solar panel’s secret sauce lies in its ability to convert photons into electrons. In a nutshell, a solar panel converts photons into direct current, which is then converted to alternate current for use in home and business applications.

Solar cells are typically constructed of silicon, a semiconductor capable of producing electricity. When sunlight strikes the panel, photons interact with silicon atoms, releasing electrons in a phenomenon called the photovoltaic effect.

A solar cell is manufactured with a positive and negative silicon sheet sandwiched together. An upper silicon layer is infused with phosphorus for a negative charge, and a boron-infused bottom layer maintains a positive charge. The resulting field funnels electrons towards conductive metal and out of the panel.