question: Describe the process of how solar panels generate electricity in no more than 4 sentences for a high school audience. Make sure to include a brief explanation of photovoltaic cells.
answer: Solar panels generate electricity by using photovoltaic cells, which are made of semiconductor materials like silicon. When sunlight hits these cells, it knocks electrons loose, creating an electric current. This flow of electrons is captured and directed through a circuit to provide usable electricity. The entire process is clean and renewable, converting sunlight directly into power without any moving parts.