How is electricity produced by solar power?

Answer 1

It can be produced directly by the photovoltaic (PV) effect. This is low-voltage power.

For power plants that will produce large amounts of electricity a different technique is used. Mirrors focus the sunlight on a central point, where a medium, such as water or molten salt, is heated. This heat is used to produce steam, and from that point it's the same as a coal plant: the steam drives a turbine, which turns a generator, which produces electricity.

A:The sun hits Photovoltaic panels, which collect energy from the suns heat rays, and an inverter converts it into usable energy.

Answer 2

Solar power is generated when sunlight hits solar panels made of photovoltaic cells, which convert the sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. The electric current produced is then collected and can be used to power homes, buildings, or stored in batteries for later use.