How do solar panels generate electricity from sunlight?

Solar power is arguably the cleanest, most reliable form of renewable energy available, and it can be used in several forms to help power your home or business.  Solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the sun's rays into electricity by exciting electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun.

In other words, Simply put, a solar panel works by allowing photons, or particles of light, to knock electrons free from atoms, generating a flow of electricity. Solar panels actually comprise many, smaller units called photovoltaic cells.