What energy conversion takes place in a solar cell?

Answer 1

A solar cell converts sunlight directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.

Sunlight is composed of photons, or "packets" of energy. These photons contain various amounts of energy corresponding to the different wavelengths of light. When photons strike a solar cell, they may be reflected or absorbed, or they may pass right through. When a photon is absorbed, the energy of the photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the cell (which is actually a semiconductor). With its newfound energy, the electron is able to escape from its normal position associated with that atom to become part of the current in an electrical circuit.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

In a solar cell, photons of sunlight are converted into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. When sunlight strikes the solar cell, it excites electrons in the material, creating a flow of electricity.