The photovoltaic process is what produces electricity from solar panels. This is a simplified version:
1. Photovoltaic cell solar panels consist of silicon-based photovoltaic materials.
2. The photovoltaic cell absorbs some photons when sunlight hits it.
3. Photons absorbed in a photovoltaic material transfer energy to the electrons. The electrons are able to flow freely through the semiconductor material and generate electricity.
4. Electric current is created by the flow of electrons. A photovoltaic cells has an electric current that causes electrons to move in one direction. This creates a DC.
5. Inverter Conversion: DC electricity produced by solar panels passes through the inverter and is converted to alternating current electricity (AC). AC electricity is a standard form of electricity that’s used by homes and business.
6. *Utilization** – The AC electricity generated can be used in the home or office to run electrical appliances. If your system has a grid connection, you can feed any excess electricity back into it. This will often earn credits for your bill or reduce your electric bill.
Solar panels are a renewable and clean energy source because they convert the sunlight into electricity.