How do solar cells work?

The basic structure of every solar cell is the same. There is an optical coating on the system, which allows the light to enter the surface without getting lost. If not the optical coating, there will surely be an anti-reflection layer for the same. It traps the light and prevents it from getting scattered. Now the process of energy generation starts as light falls on the solar cells with full intensity.

The energy conservation layers in the solar panel start to absorb this sunlight. There are three types of conservation layers present in every solar cell. These are the top junction layer, the absorber layer and the back junction layer. Also, there are two additional layers known as the electrical contact layers for carrying the generated electrical current.

Solar cells need to absorb electromagnetic radiation at the wavelength of visible light to yield performance with more efficiency. We term the materials which absorb these radiation semiconductors. When the sunlight hits the solar cell, the electrons present in the absorbent state reach the excited state from the lower energy ground state. After reaching the excited state, the electrons move through the solar panel.

The electrons flow freely in the panel and are transmitted to the corresponding inverter to convert the energy into the alternating current. As the energy formed by the solar panel is a form of direct current, hence it needs to be converted into a usable current form for residential and commercial purposes.

So, this is the overall summary of the working of the solar panels to generate electricity from the sun. Through storage batteries, we can store the excess electricity for further nighttime usage.

You can even sell the excess amount of naturally generated electricity to the local grid and earn acceptable amounts of dollars in return.