If you are interested in environmental causes or green energy, chances are you have some knowledge of solar power. When considering ways of reducing your home's footprint on the environment, solar panels offer a great option. Learning more about the technology behind solar panels is an important place to start before investing in this resource for your house.
So how is solar energy converted into electric power? A solar panel is actually comprised of many smaller units called solar cells. Each cell is made up of silicon. This material acts as a semiconductor. In every individual cell, a section of silicon is sandwiched between conductive layers. When a photon particle from the sun strikes a silicon panel, a negatively charged electron is knocked askew, creating a hole behind it. Once the electron is freed, it begins to move about the cell. It is drawn to thin metal fingers at the top of the cell before it moves through an electric circuit. This movement is what provides electrical power to complete certain tasks, such as powering a lightbulb. While each cell provides only half a volt, it can be connected with other units to generate vast amounts of power.
.
