ELI5: How do solar panels work?

Imagine sunshine is like a bunch of tiny, tiny balls of light called photons.

• These photons are always moving and have energy.

Here's how it works:

1. The photons from the sun hit the solar panel.

1. When a photon hits the silicon, it knocks loose some tiny particles inside the silicon called electrons. Think of it like a tiny game of pool where the sun ball hits the silicon ball and makes another ball (the electron) move.

1. The solar panel is designed to have a special electric field that forces these loose electrons to move in one direction. This movement is called an electric current. It's like a tiny river of electricity flowing through the panel.

1. Wires connected to the solar panel catch this electric current and bring it to your house or battery.

1. This electric current then powers your lights, TV, or anything else that uses electricity.