The photoelectric effect which was discovered by Albert Einstein is the primary reason that solar energy can be created and although pure crystalline silicon cannot conduct electricity well, it does allow for the electrons to move around freely and carry with them an electrical charge.  Other elements then need to be added to the pure silicon and this is done with the introduction of such elements as boron which produces a type of silicon that accepts electrons while phosphorus added to silicon enables it to supply electrons.

The acceptance of electrons and supplying of electrons are as a result of a p-type silicon and an n-type silicon respectively that are created with the additional elements.

Solar cells or photovoltaic cells as they are commonly called are made up of a p and n type layer with a conductive layer, a metal contact layer and a p-n junction.  When light hits the silicon layers the electrons and protons react and begin to move around within the different layers.  We all call this movement of electrons as electrical current and when they are channelled through the various contacts placed in the cells to the junction box, they will emerge from the panels as direct current which is used to charge a bank of batteries.  Once you feed the direct current into a converter, it is converted into alternating current or AC which is the electricity type used to power all the appliances in our homes.

Although this technology was once space age, it is now easily accessible to the average man.  Not only can you make use of solar energy for your home, but you now have the tools to manufacture your own solar panels making use of solar cells which are freely available in the marketplace.