Solar Electricity panels use photovoltaic(PV) cells to convert solar radiation (sunlight) into electricity. Each cell is made from one or two layers of semiconducting material. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, which is converted into a useable AC electrical current.

We use two main types of PV cells: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline (or Multicrystalline). Monocrystalline cells are effectively a slice cut from a single crystal of silicon. These are the most expensive to produce, and are the most efficient. Polycrystalline cells use a slice cut from a block of silicon, consisting of a large number of crystals. They have a speckled reflective appearance and are cheaper to produce, but are slightly less efficient.