Solar panels are also called photovoltaic panels because they are made up of cells that are designed to absorb the sun’s rays and convert this sunlight into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect.
The many small solar cells are made up of semiconductor materials, mostly silicon, and work together to generate and collect energy. When the sunlight hits these cells, it knocks its electrons loose, causing them to move and create an electrical current which can be used to power your home and save you money on your electricity bills.