Physics
photovoltaiceffect
Quick fact
The photovoltaic effect was first observed in 1839 by French physicist Edmond Becquerel, who noticed that certain materials produced a small electric current when exposed to light—a discovery that took over a century to become practical.
Why this is interesting
You've seen solar panels on rooftops, silently generating electricity from sunlight. But how exactly does a solid piece of silicon turn light into usable electric power?