Several systems and technologies are available today to convert solar energy into electrical energy or electricity.The most common and widely used is photovoltaic (PV). Photovoltaic convert solar energy (energy from the sun) directly into electricity without using any generator or any other additional machinery.Solar panels are made of at least two layers of semi-conductor materials. One layer has a positive charge, and the other has a negative charge. When light hits the top semi-conductor layer, a portion of the energy is absorbed, freeing electrons from the negative layer to flow through an external circuit and back in to the positive layer. This flow of electrons creates electric current. Individual solar panels can be connected to increase the power output, creating a solar array.

How Do Solar Panels Work? (Science in the Real World)