electrical energy
Solar cells convert the energy in sunlight to electrical energy. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic PV cells because they use light photo- to produce voltage -voltaic . Solar cells contain a material such as silicon that absorbs light energy. The energy knocks electrons loose so they can flow freely and produce a difference in electric potential energy, or voltage. The flow of electrons creates electric current. Solar cells have positive and negative contacts, like the terminals in chemical cells. If the contacts are connected with wire, current flows from the negative to positive contact. The Figure below and following URL show how a solar cell works. http://www. suntreksolar. com/solarElectricity/howCellsWork. asp.