How do photovoltaic cells work?

Simply put, photovoltaic cells allow solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. You've probably seen solar panels on rooftops all around your neighborhood, but do you know how they work to generate electricity?

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.

Can a photovoltaic cell produce enough electricity?

A photovoltaic cell alone cannot produce enough usable electricity for more than a small electronic gadget. Solar cells are wired together and installed on top of a substrate like metal or glass to create solar panels, which are installed in groups to form a solar power system to produce the energy for a home.

How do solar panels generate electricity?

Similar to the cells in a battery, cells in a solar panel are designed to generate electricity; except a battery's cells make electricity from chemicals and a solar panel's cells generate electricity by capturing sunlight instead. How does a PV Cell work? Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of radiant solar energy.

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 many photovoltaic cells are in a solar panel?

There are many photovoltaic cells within a single solar module, and the current created by all of the cells together adds up to enough electricity to help power your home. A standard panel used in a rooftop residential array will have 60 cells linked together.