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What Are Solar Cells?
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Solar cells are devices that convert sunlight into electricity using a process called the photovoltaic effect. They are the fundamental building blocks of solar panels and are responsible for generating usable electrical power from sunlight.
Solar cells are typically made from semiconductor materials, most commonly silicon, which allows them to absorb sunlight and release electrons to create an electric current. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity through interactions between light and semiconductor materials1.
How solar cells work
Solar cells generate electricity by converting light energy into electrical energy.
Process:
Sunlight hits the solar cell
The semiconductor material absorbs photons (light particles)
Electrons are released and begin to flow
This flow of electrons creates direct current (DC) electricity
Multiple solar cells are connected together to form a solar panel, which increases total energy output.
What solar cells are made of
Most solar cells are made from silicon, a durable and widely available semiconductor material.
Common materials include:
Monocrystalline silicon
Polycrystalline silicon
Thin-film materials (such as cadmium telluride or amorphous silicon)
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory notes that silicon-based solar cells dominate the market due to their efficiency, reliability, and long lifespan2.
Types of solar cells
Solar cells come in several types, each with different performance characteristics.
Monocrystalline cells
Made from a single crystal structure
Typically higher efficiency
Common in residential systems
Polycrystalline cells
Made from multiple silicon fragments
Slightly lower efficiency but often more cost-effective
Thin-film cells
Lightweight and flexible
Lower efficiency but useful for certain applications
Each type is selected based on factors like space, budget, and performance goals.
Why solar cells matter in home solar systems
Solar cells are the core technology that enables solar energy generation.
They determine:
How efficiently sunlight is converted into electricity
How much energy a system can produce
Overall system performance over time
With providers like Sunrun, solar systems are designed using high-quality solar cells configured into panels that meet the energy needs of each home.
Solar cells vs. solar panels
These terms are related but not interchangeable:
Solar cell: a single unit that converts sunlight into electricity
Solar panel: a group of connected solar cells working together
A typical residential solar panel contains many individual solar cells combined to produce meaningful power output.
Takeaways
Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity using the photovoltaic effect
They are made from semiconductor materials, most commonly silicon
Multiple solar cells form a solar panel
Different types of cells offer different efficiency and cost tradeoffs
Solar cells are the foundation of all solar energy systems
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Sources
1. U.S. Department of Energy
2. National Renewable Energy Laboratory