How Do Solar Photovoltaic Panels Generate Electricity

History of photovoltaic cells.

How do solar photovoltaic panels generate electricity.

When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. A photovoltaic pv cell commonly called a solar cell is a nonmechanical device that converts sunlight directly into electricity. This electricity can then be used to supply renewable energy to your home or. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays.

Some pv cells can convert artificial light into electricity. Ac energy then flows through the home s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly. Solar pv cells generate electricity by absorbing sunlight and using that light energy to create an electrical current. It may surprise you to know that the ability of certain treated substances to generate electricity when light falls on them was discovered as far back as 1839.

Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. There are many photovoltaic cells within a single solar panel and the current created by all of the cells together adds up to enough electricity to help power your home. Photons carry solar energy sunlight is composed of photons or particles of solar energy. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units.

That is 40 years before thomas eddison was credited with inventing the first workable electric light bulb.