Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which are typically made from silicon, a semiconductor. Each cell has two layers of silicon, one positively charged (p-type) and one negatively charged (n-type). When sunlight, which is made of tiny particles called photons, strikes the surface of the PV cell, it energizes the electrons in the silicon. This energy allows the electrons to break free from their atoms and move between the two silicon layers.

This movement creates an electric field across the junction between the layers. The electric field acts like a slide, forcing the freed electrons to flow in one direction. This flow of electrons is known as a direct current (DC). Metal contacts on the top and bottom of the solar cell collect this DC electricity. From there, it is sent to a solar inverter, which is a crucial component of the system. The inverter transforms the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), the type of electricity used by standard home appliances and the power grid. This clean, silent process harnesses the most abundant energy source on our planet to generate usable power.