How do solar cells absorb light?

When photons, particles of light, strike the solar cell, they can be absorbed if their energy matches or exceeds the band gap energy. Shorter wavelengths, such as UV and blue light, carry higher energy photons. Silicon solar cells are efficient at absorbing these shorter wavelengths.

How do solar cells work?

With either the silicon or thin film solar cells absorbing the sun’s light, the electrons do their thing. They’re bumped up to a higher level of energy and get active. Once that higher energy level is reached, it’s up to us to capture and direct the electricity where we can use it.

How do solar panels absorb and store energy?

Solar panels are built with materials that physically interact with certain wavelengths of solar energy. This enables them to transform solar energy into electricity. Here’s how solar panels absorb and store energy. What’s in a solar panel? Traditional solar panels are made with silicon crystals. Silicon is a very special material.

What happens when sunlight hits a solar cell?

When sunlight hits the solar cell, the energy from the photons (particles of sunlight) is absorbed by the semiconductor material, typically silicon. This energy excites electrons, allowing them to break free from their atoms. Step 2. Electron Movement The solar cell has a positive and a negative layer, creating an electric field.

How do solar panels turn sunlight into electricity?

Solar cells consist of layers of silicon that turn sunlight into electricity, but it takes more equipment than just that to get energy from the sun into your toaster. Image Source/Getty Images You've probably wondered what kind of magic in solar panelsconverts sunlight into electricity. It's not magic. It's science.

How do solar panels work?

A series of tiny wires creates a network of electrical current-conducting “mini highways” within a solar panel. These all tie back to a power inverter. Inverters change the raw electric current from DC power to AC power. Your home is wired to conduct AC power, so inverters essentially make the electricity usable. Do Solar Panels Store Energy?