How do solar panels work?

A) Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
B) Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into heat energy to generate electricity.
C) Solar panels reflect sunlight onto turbines, which then produce electricity through mechanical means.
D) Solar panels use lenses to focus sunlight onto a central point, where energy is converted into electricity.

The correct option is A) Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels utilize photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity using the photoelectric effect, where light photons knock electrons free in a semiconducting material, generating an electrical current.

Explanation:

The correct option is A) Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels work by converting light energy into electricity through a process involving photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells use semiconducting materials like silicon to capture photons from sunlight, which in turn knocks electrons free within the material, generating an electrical current.

This current can then be harnessed for a variety of applications, from powering small devices to providing electricity to homes and businesses. Unlike thermal solar power systems, which use heat from the sun to produce electricity indirectly through steam and turbines, PV cells provide a direct method of converting sunlight to electricity via the photoelectric effect.