The photovoltaic module is the most important component in any photovoltaic system. It is generally an enclosed, silicon-based layer or cell.

The top and bottom of the silicon are chemically treated. This creates a positive-charge layer and a negative-charge layer (chemical engineers call these “endowed layers”). Electrons then try to create a balance by bridging the silicon. For this to work, the silicon needs to conduct electricity, which it can only do when exposed to sunlight. In sunlight, electrons move freely from the positive pole to the negative pole. Electricity then flows, just like in a batter – and can be extracted at the poles.

To generate as much electricity as possible, large numbers of solar cells are wired together into modules. Several modules are then combined to create a generator that sends the electricity to an inverter unit.