How do solar panels work? - Richard Komp (Level 1)

The sun sends a huge amount of energy to Earth. In fact, it sends thousands of times more power than people actually use. We can turn this sunlight into electricity using solar panels. These panels are made of a material called silicon. When light hits the silicon, it pushes tiny particles called electrons. These electrons move through a wire to create an electric current. This current can power things like lightbulbs and phones. Solar panels are very useful because they are strong. They do not have moving parts that break easily, so they can last for decades. However, there are some problems. The sun does not shine at night or on cloudy days. This means we need good batteries to store the energy for later. Also, panels cannot catch all the sunlight that hits them. Despite these issues, solar power is getting cheaper. It is becoming a great choice for sunny countries that do not have reliable electricity.