A photovoltaic cell is made principally from doped silicon (semiconductor: PN connection).
When a cell is exposed to the sun's electromagnetic rays, the photons in light transmit their energy to atoms in the connection. This energy enables electrons to be released from the atoms,
thereby generating electrons (N-charge) and holes (P-charge).
These charges are kept separate by an electrical field
that forms a "potential barrier".
Once the P and N charges are isolated, the circuit between the 2 zones (P and N) is closed,
which causes the electrons to move and thus create an electric current.
For more precise information, you can download the document " Photovoltaic
Effect - Presentation ".
