What is solar energy or solar power?

Solar power is sometimes referred to as Photovoltaics. The word photo means "light" and voltaics means "electricity. Sometimes Photovoltaics is referred to as PV for short, although "solar power" is by far the more popular term.

How does it work?

A typical photovoltaic cell is mainly made from silicon, a material known as a semi-conductor as it conducts electricity. Impurities such as boron or phosphorus are added to the silicon to create an environment for electrons to be freed when sunlight hits the solar panel. The freeing of electrons leads directly to the production of electricity.

Solar cells are completely harmless and do NOT produce any emissions, harmful or otherwise. They simply harness the power of the sun to produce electricity. They are clean and "green". This is one case in life where you actually do get something for FREE!