Solar Cells

Photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar cells, convert sunlight directly to electricity. PV cells are thin discs made of chemical elements such as silicon. When tiny elements in sunlight called photons hit the chemical elements in the solar cells, they create an electric current.

When a group of PV cells are wired together, it is called a solar module, or panel. A solar array is two or more panels wired together. A single PV cell can power something small like a calculator. Several panels can generate electricity for many things, like homes, schools, and even space satellites.