PV panels use the photovoltaic process to convert photons – found in sunlight, into electricity. Firstly, a PV solar panel has no moving parts in it. The solar panel is made from lots of PV cells with conducting metal strips running through the middle. When photons from sunlight strike the panel, electrons are knocked out of their usual orbit, and are allowed to flow, creating an electrical current. The panels are manufactured using a semiconductor such as silicon, to achieve this. The stronger and more direct the sunlight, the better the flow of electricity, although panels do not need direct sunlight, just the same as solar thermal panels. The DC current produced by the panels is then converted into an AC current, so it can be effectively used to power appliances in the home.
