| > | | | | sunlight hits the cell(s), the silicon inside them trap the |
| Solar power electricity can be produced from two | | | | electrons and divert them to the other side. The |
| principal methods, directly and indirectly. The indirect | | | | movement of these electrons is referred to as |
| method used to make solar power electricity uses the | | | | electricity. |
| sun’s heat to boil water and the steam is used | | | | One cell produces only a small amount of wattage |
| to drive turbines to produce solar power electricity. | | | | and volts. In order to obtain enough current to power |
| There is a direct method which involves using PV cells | | | | your household items, an array of cells must be |
| to make solar power electricity and is the preferred | | | | constructed. This array of PV cells concentrates the |
| way to supply power to your home. These cells take | | | | electricity to an amount usable in your house. The size |
| direct sunlight and convert the energy to DC current. | | | | of the array is determined by the amount of solar |
| You’ll need an inverter to convert that DC | | | | power electricity needed. |
| current to AC current. For now, we’ll focus on | | | | Solar power electricity is now an increasingly popular |
| PV cells and how they can help you make your own | | | | type of alternative energy utilized by millions of people. |
| solar power electricity. You’ve probably used | | | | Installing solar panels to your home’s power |
| PV cells to power some common household items like | | | | source can dramatically decrease the amount of |
| calculators and yard lights. These devices use the | | | | electricity you pay for. In some cases, power |
| same technology, only on a smaller scale. The cell | | | | companies will even pay you for any excess |
| consists of a silicon field which is positively charged on | | | | electricity you produce. |
| one side and negatively charged on the other. When | | | | |