Solar Panels

A solar panel consists of a collection photovoltaic PV cells, made from semiconducting materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect with the application of light. When exposed to solar energy photons, light is absorbed by the semiconductor in the PV modules to cause excitation of electrons and other charge carriers including ions and electron holes to a higher energy state. With sufficient energy, the light overcomes the potential barrier for excitation to cause the separation of charges, producing an electric potential or voltage. The electrons that have gained enough energy to break away from their covalent bonds within the crystal lattice flow freely through the material to give direct current DC electricity.
DC current from solar cell panels is converted to alternating current AC electricity by inverters to be employed in various residential, commercial, industrial and spacial uses or stored in batteries. 
Solar electric panels arrays may supply the electricity grid, be off the grid for electricity usage within a perimeter or be a solar hybrid system.
Solar power is a renewable and clean source of energy, helps mitigate the effects of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowers electricity bills.
Solar panel systems may be installed in ground solar power plant farms, mounted on rooftops and canopies, floating on man made water reservoirs and oriented towards the east and west through vertical bifacial PV panels for agrivoltaics, solar fencing and highway or railroad noise dampeners as dual use solar.