Photovoltaic (PV)

Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials, most commonly silicon. The term comes from the Greek word “photo” (light) and “voltaic” (electricity, named after physicist Alessandro Volta). When photons from sunlight strike a PV cell, they knock electrons loose from atoms in the semiconductor, creating an electrical current.

PV cells are the fundamental building blocks of solar panels. A typical residential solar panel contains 60 to 72 individual PV cells wired together. Modern PV cells achieve efficiencies of 20–23% for standard panels, with premium models reaching up to 24%. The technology has been in use since the 1950s and continues to improve in both efficiency and affordability, making rooftop solar accessible to millions of American homeowners.