How does photovoltaic (pv) work?
Photovoltaic technology generates electricity directly from sunlight. Photovoltaic solar panels are made of silicon crystals, the major component of sand. Silicon itself is not electrically active, but when placed near another silicon atom, photons in sunlight are able to release electrons. Electrons are released onto the electon-deficient side of the silicon crystal. Since the silicon atom has a hole, the electron moves through a copper wire around the crystal to fill the hole. This movement of the electron is electricity.
