How Do Solar Cells Work?

There is a lot of science behind how solar (or photovoltaic) cells work, but the basic premise is fairly easy to understand.

When sunlight hits semiconducting materials such as silicon, the photons in the light knock electrons off their atoms. Because of the way the solar cells are designed, the electrons are forced to move in one direction together. Electrons are responsible for any electricity, so when they are removed from the silicon cells they create a direct current of electricity.

So essentially, light pushes the electrons into a stream, which then becomes electricity.

Different solar technologies come with different efficiencies. Currently, affordable solar panels meant for rooftops and other consumer uses have roughly 30 percent maximum efficiency. That means that a little under one third of the light energy that hits the solar cell is turned into energy.

There are many new materials that bring the efficiency up to 60 percent or higher, but the cost of those materials are incredibly high and are mostly seen in laboratories where researchers are working to reduce the cost and bring the efficiency up.

Most affordable solar panels are made from silicon, a relatively cheap material, which is manufactured with metal impurities that create the photovoltaic effect.

There are more and more expensive solar cells, but even the least expensive array will save you plenty of money on the monthly electric bill.

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