Once the preserve of the aerospace industry for  powering satellites’ electrical systems, as far back as 1958, photovoltaics are being used more and more in less exotic ways.  The technology keeps popping up in new devices all the time, from sunglasses to electric vehicle charging stations.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert the energy of sunlight directly into electricity.  Most common solar cells are configured as a large-area p-n junction made from silicon.

N-type silicon has free electrons, while P-type silicon has free holes – the absence of electrons.  When N-type and P-type come into contact, an electric field is generated within the solar power cell.

A solar cell works in several steps:

An inverter can convert the power to alternating current (AC).

Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semi-conducting materials, like silicon.

Electrons are excited from their current molecular/atomic orbital.  Once excited, an electron can either dissipate the energy as heat and return to its orbital or travel through the cell until it reaches an electrode.  Current flows through the material to cancel the potential and this electricity is captured.

An array of solar cells converts solar energy into a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity.