How do solar panels convert sunlight into electricity?
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic (PV) effect This process involves solar cells, typically made of silicon, absorbing sunlight When photons from sunlight strike the silicon, they knock electrons loose from their atoms These freed electrons, moving in response to an internal electric field within the cell, generate an electrical current, producing direct current (DC) electricity An inverter then converts this DC electricity into alternating current (AC) for use in homes or businesses,