Solar photovoltaics

Cells that turn sunlight straight into electricity, from rooftops to utility farms.

Capture · Solar · No. 21

• Capture
• Output: Electricity

Solar modules get about 26.6% cheaper every time world output doubles, and now cost about 10 US cents a watt.

Chart: Illustration: Solar photovoltaics

Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Light knocks electrons loose in doped silicon and an internal field drives them out as current; about 706 GWp of modules were made in 2025.

Three things to know

1. About 98% of modules made today are crystalline silicon; thin films are a niche and tandems still at pilot stage.
2. A European solar system pays back the energy used to make it in about 0.9-1.1 years.
3. Solar causes about 0.02 deaths per TWh from accidents and pollution, against 24.6 for coal in Europe.

The journey

1. 1 SiliconPurified and grown into crystals
2. 2 WafersSliced thin and doped to form a field
3. 3 CellsLight frees electrons, silver contacts collect them
4. 4 ModulesCells sealed under glass in frames
5. 5 InvertersDirect current converted to alternating current
6. 6 GridRooftops, farms, reservoirs and facades

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