| In the article that follows, we will explain in how a | | | | electron, which had a neutral charge with the electron, |
| residential solar (PV) cell converts photons of sunlight | | | | now has a positive charge without it. Remember back |
| into household electrical currents. This process is called | | | | to high school chemistry. Suddenly, these classes |
| the photoelectric effect. We will also explain the | | | | seem relevant when learning about solar generated |
| physical characteristics of how silicon moves electrons | | | | electricity. Who would have known? |
| through various states to produce household solar | | | | When an electron is removed from this lattice |
| electric power. | | | | structure or matrix in this fashion, it creates a hole in |
| Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for | | | | the outer layer of the lattice where the electron was. |
| his work on the photoelectric effect, not for his work | | | | A nearby electron with a negative charge soon fills the |
| on relativity. Little did one know that the same people | | | | hole. The electron that moves in has a positive charge. |
| who helped us calculate everything under the sun is | | | | It can be described like the balancing of an equation; i.e. |
| also the same person helping to bring renewable solar | | | | when one silicon electron consisting of a negative |
| energy to the masses. | | | | charge is transferred in...another particle, in this case an |
| Solar Electricity and the Photoelectric Effect | | | | electron with a positive charge, is bumped out and |
| The photoelectric effect is a key concept, since it is | | | | moves out. |
| the way sunlight is converted into free electrons as | | | | As photons of sunlight penetrate the silicon and knock |
| light interacts with the solar cell. Without the creative | | | | electrons loose they transfer their energy. Negative |
| work of Albert Einstein, the physical characteristics of | | | | electrons are forced to move into nearby holes and |
| sunlight might not be known. Never mind the impact | | | | positive holes appear where electrons once were. This |
| and Earth-altering opportunities to power your home | | | | photoelectric effect works because of the |
| using solar generated electricity that his ideas inspired | | | | one-directional flow of positive and negative electrons. |
| all these years later. | | | | This flow of electrons produces the electrical current |
| Think of sunlight not as a wave but as a beam of | | | | used in everyday use. The one way or single direction |
| photon particles for the purposes of explain the | | | | that the silicon electrons is produced when the sunlight, |
| technical details of how home solar energy systems | | | | which is really photons of energy, repeatedly hit the |
| work. These bundles of energy penetrate the silicon | | | | silicon solar cells inside the PV panels making up the |
| lattice structure inside the solar cells making up a home | | | | home solar power unit. |
| solar panel and transfer their energy to an electron in | | | | Incredibly enough, this process is the secret sauce that |
| the outer layer of the silicon atom. | | | | allows electricity to be produced from ordinary sunlight. |
| When a single electron gains enough energy from the | | | | It is Albert Einstein's discovery, called the photoelectric |
| penetrating photons, it breaks free and floats around | | | | effect, that makes solar electric energy possible. The |
| the lattice structure, no longer bonded. An electron has | | | | average homeowner can now buy or rental home |
| a negative charge when it is knocked free during the | | | | solar energy systems and generate useful electricity |
| photoelectric effect. The silicon atom that loses the | | | | for their house. |