What is the photovoltaic effect?

The photovoltaic effect is the fundamental physical and chemical process that generates voltage and electric current in a material upon exposure to light. This is the exact mechanism that allows solar panels to convert sunlight into usable power. When photons strike a specially treated semiconductor material, they excite electrons into a higher energy state. This allows the electrons to flow through an external circuit, creating electrical energy. Distractors that mention a component emitting light when voltage is applied describe the exact opposite process, known as electroluminescence (as seen in LEDs).