Solar electricity is created by using solar power cells to convert the sun light into energy. Solar electricity is created in solar panels that are constructed to take advantage of the photons in the atmosphere. The solar panels are constructed from specially treated materials that are semiconductors. These are mostly composed of silicon atoms. The panels are constructed of two sheets of this material and separated by an electric field to allow the atoms to interact from either side. This is done by using the energy of speeding photons to create an electrical current in a solar panel.

What are photons? Photons are created by the fusion of atoms in the center of the sun. It takes millions of years for a photon to make its way to the surface of the sun, but once they are free they are hurled fast enough to make it to the earth in about eight minutes! Another word for photons is quanta; these are actually little packets of sunlight. Solar electricity is simply changing the sunlight into electricity, sounds pretty easy doesn’t it? That’s what I thought when I first started researching it. The way it works is complicated for a novice like me but using it is as simple as the electricity in any home.

The only difference is that solar energy does not harm the earth. Solar electricity is built up in the solar panel and then it is transferred through a wire to a converter and then into your home. The energy from the sun is DC current so it must be changed into AC current for use in the home. The power from the newer systems can often produce more power than from your utility company. If you stay connected to them the excess power is fed into their lines and you receive a credit on your bill for this. It’s a great way to help the environment and save money at the same time.