What type of panels do solar electrical generation systems utilize to produce electricity?

Photovoltaic panels are specifically designed to convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. This process involves the interaction of photons from sunlight with semiconductor materials in the panels, typically silicon-based. When sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells, it excites electrons, creating an electric current that can be harnessed for power. This technology is fundamental for residential and commercial solar electrical generation systems aiming to produce renewable energy.

In contrast, solar thermal panels are used to capture heat from the sun rather than generate electricity. Reflective panels are designed more for directing sunlight rather than converting it into usable electrical energy, and solar absorber panels focus primarily on absorbing heat rather than electricity generation. Each of these alternatives serves different purposes within solar energy applications but does not directly produce electricity in the manner that photovoltaic panels do.