The cells behind the solar panel

What are photovoltaic (PV) solar cells?

In this article, we'll look at photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, or solar cells, which are electronic devices that generate electricity when exposed to photons or particles of light. This conversion is called the photovoltaic effect. We'll explain the science of silicon solar cells, which comprise most solar panels.

How do solar panels work?

When exposed to sunlight, each cell generates a small amount of direct current (DC) electricity. But when thousands of these cells are assembled into a solar panel, their collective power becomes enough to run anything from your home appliances to large-scale industries and power grids.

Why are photovoltaic cells important?

You’ve likely seen photovoltaic cells in action, whether it’s solar panels on rooftops, large solar farms stretching across fields, or even smaller panels on calculators, traffic signals and street lights. These cells are the heart of every solar energy system.

How do solar cells generate electricity?

The conversion of sunlight, made up of particles called photons, into electrical energy by a solar cell is called the "photovoltaic effect" - hence why we refer to solar cells as "photovoltaic", or PV for short. Solar PV systems generate electricity by absorbing sunlight and using that light energy to create an electrical current.