Solar Energy How It Works

How does a solar cell turn sunlight into electricity.

Solar energy how it works.

A solar cell is a device people can make that takes the energy of sunlight and converts it into electricity. How does solar energy work. A standard solar panel also known as a solar module consists of a layer of silicon cells a metal frame a glass casing and various wiring to allow current to flow from the silicon cells silicon atomic 14 on the periodic table is a nonmetal with conductive properties that allow it to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity. It releases tiny packets of energy called photons which travel the 93 million miles from the sun to earth in about 8 5 minutes.

Photovoltaic pv cells are the powerhouse unit of the entire solar energy industry. How do solar panels work to generate electricity. How solar energy works. Published jul 14 2008 updated dec 16 2009.

Solar energy works by capturing the sun s energy and turning it into electricity for your home or business. Our sun is a natural nuclear reactor. A solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity according to live science. Solar energy power from the sun is a vast inexhaustible and clean resource.