Solar Cell

A solar cell is the basic building unit of a solar panel. Each cell generates an electrical charge when struck by sunlight through a process called the photovoltaic effect. When photons hit the cell’s semiconductor material (usually silicon), they dislodge electrons and create an electric current.

Individual solar cells produce only a small amount of voltage — typically around 0.5 volts each. To generate useful amounts of electricity, dozens of cells are wired together in series and parallel within a single solar panel. A standard residential panel contains 60 or 72 cells. Solar cells come in different types: monocrystalline cells (cut from a single silicon crystal, higher efficiency) and polycrystalline cells (made from multiple silicon fragments, lower cost). Newer technologies such as half-cut cells and shingled cells improve performance by reducing electrical resistance and minimizing the impact of shading.