Solar power is energy that is created directly from the light or heat of the sun.
One method uses the sun’s heat to produce steam that is then used to spin turbines to generate electricity.

More commonly, special solar panels called photovoltaic (PV) cells are used to capture the sun’s light and convert it directly into electricity. Each PV cell is a small semiconductor device made of silicon, usually 10 centimetres square in size and producing roughly 0.5 volts of electricity.

The light and heat energy from the sun are absorbed and create a current in the cell. Metal contacts on the top and bottom of the cell draw the current out of the cell as electricity.

Dozens of photovoltaic cells are arranged together in a panel or module. Each panel or module can be linked together in an array, the size of which depends on the amount of power needed.

Current photovoltaic systems are able to convert about 12 to 15 percent of the solar energy they absorb to electricity.

The two most important factors when considering solar power projects are:

• the size of the system 
• the availability of sunlight in the area.

The diagram below provides an overview of how a solar PV cell works. Click here to use this interactive tool.