Clean energy rides on the back of solar power. You wouldn’t believe the tech that runs solely on solar power-boats, buses, bicycles and roadside trash compactors, for a start. Solar power is quickly expanding into every industry, inspiring entire cities and reforming ancient traditions to bring forth cleaner earth.
Back in 1839, Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered what he called the photovoltaic effect. He discovered that the photovoltaic effect is a process in which two dissimilar materials in close proximity to one another produce electrical voltage. This occurs when the materials in question are struck by the radiant energy or light. Electrons in the light are not free to move once trapped, essentially rendering them completely frozen. Within the silicon, they can be allowed to move freely, yet still within their confines.
Free electrons pass between dissimilar materials or crystals. This gives them a positive charge on one side, and a negative on the adjacent. It’s just like a battery; positives and negatives. So long as light still flows freely into this crystal, a current can be maintained and harnessed for later use.