OK,… Here is what WikiPedia has for their short explanation:

  1. Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting materials, such as silicon.
  2. Electrons (negatively charged) are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to produce electricity. Due to the special composition of solar cells, the electrons are only allowed to move in a single direction. The complementary positive charges that are also created (like bubbles) are called holes and flow in the direction opposite of the electrons in a silicon solar panel.
  3. An array of solar cells converts solar energy into a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity.

Now that seems very straight forward right? Sort of,, Remember that is the short version.

Here are some examples of the longer version:

I_{D} = I_{0} \left\{\exp\left[\frac{qV_{j}}{nkT}\right] - 1\right\}

or:

I = I_{L} - I_{0} \left\{\exp\left[\frac{q(V + I R_{S})}{nkT}\right] - 1\right\} - \frac{V + I R_{S}}{R_{SH}}

Did you need a moment to jot that down or did you memorize it? Well, If you were able to memorize it then you should be writing this or at least advising me. because you obviously have a better grasp than I do of the whole thing…

I just know that it works and that technology is getting better and better all the time.

There are many designs and application for these cells. They are made into solar arrays, thin strips, Tiles for roofing(another form of solar arrays), V-shaped arrays, round arrays.

I had a conversation recently about research into putting silicon in paint to use on buildings. I haven’t researched it yet and can’t confirm this so I won’t print it.(imagine the equation for that one)

But, wouldn’t it be great if you could paint your house and connect it to the “Grid” and use what energy you needed off it and then had the utility company have to buy the excess.