How PV Solar Panels works

Simply put photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and other forms of solar energy work by converting some of the energy from sunlight into a clean form of electricity that can be used in our homes. The PV cells consist of a positive and a negative slice of silicon placed under a thin slice of glass. As the protons of the sunlight beat down onto the PV cell they knock the neutrons off the silicon. The negatively charged free neutrons are attracted to the silicon but are trapped by the magnetic field that is formed from the opposing fields. Small wires on the silicon catch these neutrons and when connected in a circuit an electric current is formed.

This reaction gives Direct Current electricity though, and it must be passed through an inverter to be converted into an Alternating Current used in our homes to power any electrical items. Some of the power is lost in this part of the process as the inverter is only around 95% efficient but this is a much greater efficiency than was once available.

The generation of electricity from sunlight is completely solid state and self-contained. There are no moving parts and no materials are consumed or emitted.