There are two layers of silicon used in photovoltaic technology, and each one is specially treated (known as "doping") to create an electric field, meaning one side has a net positive charge and one has a net negative charge. The movement of electrons, which all carry a negative charge, toward the front surface of the PV cell creates an imbalance of electrical charge between the cell's front and back surfaces. This imbalance, in turn, creates a voltage potential similar to the negative and positive terminals of a. Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semi-conducting materials. That is: Power (P) = Volts (V) x Amps (I). The amount of clean energy. Hole Mobility: In P-type materials, the predominant charge carriers are positive holes. We'll explain the science of silicon solar cells, which comprise most solar panels. The n-type silicon is not charged—it has an equal number of protons and electrons—but some of the electrons are not held tightly to the atoms.