"Million Roofs" photovoltaic panel

Kyocera Corporation · ca 2008

Turning sunlight into electricity starts with panels like this one, used in the California Solar Initiative. The panel contains many small solar cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. Sunlight is not very powerful so each cell produces only a small amount of electricity. Connecting the cells inside the panel combines their output. Linking several panels supplies even more electricity. The more sunlight the panel receives, the more electricity it produces—so keeping panels clear of dirt or snow is a must.