Solar electricity is created by using Photovoltaic (PV) technology by converting solar energy into solar electricity from sunlight. Photovoltaic systems use sunlight to power ordinary electrical equipment, for example, household appliances, computers and lighting. The photovoltaic (PV) process converts free solar energy - the most abundant energy source on the planet - directly into solar power. Note that this is not the familiar "passive" or Solar electricity thermal technology used for space heating and hot water production.

A PV cell consists of two or more thin layers of semi-conducting material, most commonly silicon. When the silicon is exposed to light, electrical charges are produced and this can be taken away by metal contacts as direct current (DC). The electrical output from a single cell is small, so many cells are connected together and enclosed (usually behind glass) to form a module (sometimes referred to as a "panel"). The PV module is the building block of a PV system and any number of modules can be connected together to give the electrical output desired.

PV equipment has no moving parts, which means it requires minimal maintenance. It generates solar electricity without producing emissions of greenhouse or any other gases, and its operation is silent.