The sun supplies the needed energy for the solar cell. Transformation of the sun's energy
allows a photovoltaic cell to possess a certain amount of potential energy. That transformation occurs when sunlight hits the two layer solar powered battery.
The sun's rays activate the electrons in each of the battery's two layers. In the "p layer," the activated electrons create a "hole" in the molecular structure. In the "n layer," the activated electrons become a way for an electrical current to be created. The electrons are released from the atom and thus have the ability to travel to a new location. The available "holes" manage to attract the free electrons.
A flow of electrons creates an electric current. When wires are attached to the solar powered battery, then they pick up the batteries current and carry it to wherever the wires lead. If they lead to the window on a calculator, then they alter the digital reading in that window.
Now as the potential energy in a solar cell becomes an electrical type of kinetic energy, then the activated electrons slowly disappear. Their total disappearance causes creation of a "dead" cell. Conversion of that cell's condition demands completion of a recharging process. In order to prevent possible complications during the conversion, manufacturers use carefully selected mixtures of metals in the cell's layers.
Sometimes they use of mix of metals that contains copper indium gallium selenide. Sometimes they use a mixture that contains the metal copper indium selenide. Introduction of those newer metals is changing the nature of the photovoltaic cell. Of course scientists continue to experiment with various other metals. In the future another type of mixing could lead to creation of a new way to make use of the sun's energy.
With this basic knowledge, learn more about solar cells, solar panels, and solar panel uses.