How do Solar Cells Work?

Solar panels are one of the most promising forms of renewable energy. Harnessing the power of the sun itself, solar power could have the ability to power 100% of the world's energy. Each year, the technology of solar power progresses in the capacity and lowers in price. Within only a few short decades, we could see the lights of world being powered by solar power.

You're probably wondering how solar cells actually work. How does a simple metallic looking strip convert the energy of the sun into electricity we can use? The solar cells found on homes, calculators, and even satellites use solar technology called photovoltaic cells. In groups where they are electrically connected they're referred to as photovoltaic modules. While these modules used to be only be used in space for satellites, they're now being used to power your home.

These photovoltaic modules are created using a superconductive material like silicon. When light hits the surface of the silicon and bounces off, a portion of that energy is absorbed into the material. When the energy is absorbed, the metal contacts found on both sides of the photovoltaic cells draw that solar energy out. How that happens is electric fields direct the electrons knocked free by the absorbed energy to flow in a desired direction (known as the current). In the case of solar panels, the electric field directs the electrons to the metal contacts.

And that is really the basics of how solar cells work. Depending on the strength of the electric field and current generated by the electrons you'll see different levels of wattage generated.