How do solar panels work?
How do solar panels work? At its most basic, solar panels consist of an array of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity by a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic or PV cells consist of at least two semi-conductive materials, such as silicon, one of which has a positive charge while the other is negative. When exposed to sunlight some of the photons are absorbed by the negative semiconductor atoms (at the bottom), which in turn free electrons to flow (if connected to an electrical load) back to the positive semiconductor (at the top). This flow of electrons is called direct current (DC). The individual solar cells are then connected in series strings to build voltage; the strings are connected in parallel to build current. They are then sealed or laminated and placed in a rigid frame. This makes up a photovoltaic (PV) module. These solar modules or panels are available in various sizes, power outputs, and materials. Using the right conversion