How is solar energy made?

Solar energy is made by capturing sunlight and converting it into electricity or heat. Here's how it works: Solar Panels: These are made up of many solar cells, usually made from silicon. When sunlight hits these cells, it knocks electrons loose, creating an electric current.

How do solar panels turn sunlight into electricity?

There are several ways to turn sunlight into usable energy, but almost all solar energy today comes from “solar photovoltaics (PV).” Solar PV relies on a natural property of “semiconductor” materials like silicon, which can absorb the energy from sunlight and turn it into electric current.

Where does solar power come from?

Any point where sunlight hits the Earth's surface has the potential to generate solar power. Solar power is renewable by nature. Sunlight is infinite, and enough solar radiation hits the planet's surface each hour to theoretically fill our global energy needs for nearly a year.

What is solar energy?

Solar energy is any type of energy generated by the sun. Solar energy is created by nuclear fusion that takes place in the sun. Fusion occurs when protons of hydrogen atoms violently collide in the sun’s core and fuse to create a helium atom. This process, known as a PP (proton-proton) chain reaction, emits an enormous amount of energy.

How does solar energy work?

Solar energy is constantly flowing away from the sun and throughout the solar system. Solar energy warms Earth, causes wind and weather, and sustains plant and animal life. The energy, heat, and light from the sun flow away in the form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

Why do people use solar energy?

People have used the sun's rays (solar radiation) for thousands of years for warmth and to dry meat, fruit, and grains. Over time, people developed technologies to collect solar energy for heat and to convert it into electricity. Radiant energy from the sun has powered life on earth for many millions of years.