Skip to main content

How do solar panels work? - Richard Komp

10,889,868 Views

50,322 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

The Earth intercepts a lot of solar power: 173,000 terawatts. That’s 10,000 times more power than the planet’s population uses. So is it possible that one day the world could be completely reliant on solar energy? Richard Komp examines how solar panels convert solar energy to electrical energy.

What creates the potential difference (voltage) in a solar cell?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Richard Komp
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Director Hernando Bahamon
  • Artist Andrés Felipe Landazábal
  • Animator Ricardo Avila
  • Composer Manuel Borda
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from Troubleshooting the World