About Photovoltaics
Photovoltaic or 'PV' panels use the sun's energy to generate electricity directly.
A typical PV cell consists of two or more thin layers of semi-conducting material, which is most commonly silicon. PV cells are connected together and encapsulated, usually behind glass, to form a module or panel and any number of modules can be connected together.
Incoming solar rays are captured by the solar panels on the school's roof. When light strikes the silicon it produces electrons within the silicon that are conducted away by a metallic grid as direct current (DC). This is then sent through an inverter and converted into AC electricity. The AC electricity is then used to power school lights and equipment.
PV panels do generate electricity in cloudy weather, although not as much as they would on a really sunny day.
Download How Photovoltaic Cells Work
