Blog Updated: September 2025
Solar panels, also called solar modules, are key components of every solar array because they convert sunlight into electricity. But how exactly do they do that?
Every panel is made up of many individual solar cells, which are linked together to increase their power-producing potential. Most of these cells are made up of two layers of silicon sandwiched between conductive material. One layer of silicon has extra electrons (making it negatively charged), and the other has extra holes for electrons to move into (making it positively charged).
Light is made up of particles called photons, and when these hit the silicon cell with enough energy, they knock electrons loose. The now-mobile electrons are picked up by the conductive material surrounding the silicon, creating an electric current. This electricity flows from the solar cells to your inverter, which converts output DC power into the AC power your home and the electrical grid can use.
The electrons return to their original spots once they have completed their circuit, meaning nothing in the system gets used up. Because electrons are the only moving part of solar arrays, modules don’t wear out quickly like other types of electronics, so they can last decades with only minor reductions in power output.
You might have heard about the efficiency of solar panels; the panels Namaste Solar use range from about 19% to 23% efficiency, because the cost of higher efficiency panels is usually prohibitive except for military or space applications. There are several reasons solar cells cannot convert 100% of sunlight into electricity: sunlight could be reflected instead of absorbed, for example, or dislodged electrons could fall back into place before going through the circuit, meaning the energy of those photons is lost.
But don’t fret – even though those percentages seem low, you could still partially or completely offset your electricity usage, depending on available sunny space, typical consumption, and your project budget. Because solar modules are durable and long-lasting, a solar system can be a great investment.
More information about solar modules can be found in articles by NASA and Live Science.
Do you want to see how much you could save by going solar? Give us a call at 303-536-8920 or click the button below.
