| In the article that follows, we will explain in how a | | | | free during the photoelectric effect. The silicon |
| residential solar (PV) cell converts photons of | | | | atom that loses the electron, which had a neutral |
| sunlight into household electrical currents. This | | | | charge with the electron, now has a positive |
| process is called the photoelectric effect. We will | | | | charge without it. Remember back to high school |
| also explain the physical characteristics of how | | | | chemistry. Suddenly, these classes seem relevant |
| silicon moves electrons through various states to | | | | when learning about solar generated electricity. |
| produce household solar electric power. | | | | Who would have known? |
| Albert Einstein won the Nobe Prize for discovering, | | | | When an electron is removed from this lattice |
| documenting, and proving the Photoelectric effect. | | | | structure or matrix in this fashion, it creates a |
| Funny as he has gathered most of his attention | | | | hole in the outer layer of the lattice where the |
| due to his work on relativity. Little did one know | | | | electron was. A nearby electron with a negative |
| that the same people who helped us calculate | | | | charge soon fills the hole. The electron that |
| everything under the sun is also the same person | | | | moves in has a positive charge. It can be |
| helping to bring renewable solar energy to the | | | | described like the balancing of an equation; i.e. |
| masses. | | | | when one silicon electron consisting of a negative |
| Solar Electricity and the Photoelectric Effect | | | | charge is transferred in...another electron of |
| The photoelectric effect is a key concept, since it | | | | positive charge moves out. |
| is the way sunlight is converted into free | | | | As photons of sunlight penetrate the silicon and |
| electrons as light interacts with the solar cell. | | | | knock electrons loose they transfer their energy. |
| Without the creative work of Albert Einstein, the | | | | Negative electrons are forced to move into |
| physical characteristics of sunlight might not be | | | | nearby holes and positive holes appear where |
| known. Never mind the impact and Earth-altering | | | | electrons once were. For this phenomenon to be |
| opportunities to power your home using solar | | | | work, a one-way flow of electrons needs to be |
| generated electricity that his ideas inspired all | | | | created to generate electric current. The one |
| these years later. | | | | way or single direction that the silicon electrons is |
| Think of sunlight not as a wave but as a beam of | | | | produced when the sunlight, which is really |
| photon particles for the purposes of explain the | | | | photons of energy, repeatedly hit the silicon solar |
| technical details of how home solar energy | | | | cells inside the PV panels making up the home |
| systems work. These bundles of energy | | | | solar power unit. |
| penetrate the silicon lattice structure inside the | | | | Incredibly enough, this process is the secret sauce |
| solar cells making up a home solar panel and | | | | that allows electricity to be produced from |
| transfer their energy to an electron in the outer | | | | ordinary sunlight. Thanks to Albert Einstein and the |
| layer of the silicon atom. | | | | photoelectric effect home owners now have the |
| When a single electron gains enough energy from | | | | opportunity to buy solar energy systems or rent |
| the penetrating photons, it breaks free and floats | | | | solar panels to self-produce energy for their |
| around the lattice structure, no longer bonded. An | | | | home. |
| electron has a negative charge when it is knocked | | | | |