From Sunlight to Savings: The Science and Rise of Solar Power

For more than a century the importance of solar or a renewable source of energy has been known to man-kind, no matter who they are, what they do and where they belong from, everybody has heard and talked about this source of energy. Over the years, there has been a gradual increase in advocacy and development towards Solar adaptation. The use of sunlight as a source to generate electricity and solar energy’s invention and development was done by Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, in 1839 at an age of 19 while experimenting with various metal electrodes in an electrolyte solution, Edmond Becquerel observed that certain materials produce electricity when exposed to light. He discovered the photovoltaic effect that converts sunlight into electricity and is credited with the development of the PV technology which laid the foundation for modern solar cells. Other people who played a crucial role in the discovery and development of solar energy include Charles Fritts who in 1883 developed the first practical solar panel and Daryl Chapin, Cavin Fuller and Gerald Pearson who in 1954 created the first efficient silicon solar cell with a 6% efficiency. While these players kick-started and laid down the ground work and baseline for solar energy, it was in 1931 during a discussion panel that scientists and other professionals stated their high hopes for solar, where Thomas Edison foresaw its potential and stated “ I’d put my money on the sun and the solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t wait till oil and coal run out before we tackle that. I wish I had more years left.” Edison’s words underscored solar energy as a sustainable promise, urging humanity to embarrass solar’s boundless possibilities. Edison’s anticipation is now slowly becoming a reality where solar energy is responsible for generating the world’s 6.5%-7% electricity. While this might not seem huge the sheer amount of growth, where in 2010 it accounted for less than 0.1% of global electricity generation looks promising. Solar energy as of now is a multi-billion dollar industry being valued at over $282.25 billion. By the end of the decade solar PV is set to become the largest renewable source, surpassing both wind and hydropower which currently are the largest source of renewable energy. Between 2024-2030 the technology is expected to account for 80% of the growth in renewable capacity due to construction of large solar plants as well as an increase in rooftop solar installation by companies and households.

Recent times have seen record development in solar power, where for the first time solar has been the biggest source of power generation for European Union Countaries. For the first time in history the amount of electricity produced by solar power has been more than what was produced with the help of fossil fuels and other sources of electricity generation. It surpassed even nuclear and wind energy, becoming the largest power source in the EU. About thirteen EU countries have recorded their highest -ever solar power contribution where countries like Netherlands have produced 40.5% of their electricity from solar only. This spark rise in solar energy has pushed coal to an all-time low where it generated just 6.1% of EU electricity in June 2025, which led to solar being the biggest source of electricity generation. As a result of high renewable generation coal generated the lowest ever share of EU electricity, where countries like Spain recorded their lowest ever month of coal generation, with coal producing only 0.6% of the country's electricity needs. This development in the renewable energy space, especially in solar power generation is funding the Coal phase-out.

Despite this remarkable progress, many people remain unaware of the ingenious technology behind solar power. How exactly do solar panels transform sunlight into electricity? The process, rooted in decades of scientific breakthroughs, is both fascinating and pivotal for our sustainable future. Before understanding the market we first must understand solar, to truly appreciate solar’s growing market and global impact we must first understand its core technology. Solar panels and the PV (photovoltaic) technology are the backbone and the driving force behind solar energy’s growth, with being both accessible and flexible this way of generating electricity is both feasible and adoptable. These solar panels are inherently made of smaller units called solar cells, coupled together these solar cells are placed in conductive metals for increased efficiency and a better energy flow. Solar cells are made up of silicone, which enables high efficiency and scalability and because of its abundant nature, it has enabled solar’s capacity to grow. These Solar Cells are made up of 2 layers called the N (negative) and P (positive) layers. The N layer has a bunch of electrons and the P layer is empty which means it has missing electrons. So, when photons from sunlight hit these solar cells or solar panels as a whole, these electrons move from the N layer to the P layer and since electricity is just the movement of elements, this generates a current which in result powers whatever is connected to it. Basically, when sunlight strikes the earth, these solar cells absorb the photons which then react with the electrons to create electricity.

While these silicon-based solar cells are the backbone of the majority of solar technologies, different systems harness sunlight in unique ways to generate solar energy. The two prominent methods, which leverage distinct scientific mechanisms to produce electricity or heat include Rooftop Photovoltaic systems and Solar thermal plants.

Rooftop Photovoltaic (PV) systems

Rooftop PV systems, which are commonly installed in homes and businesses use solar cells to convert sunlight directly. This system converts the sunlight into electricity by using the photovoltaic effect. The P-N junction creates an electric field that directs photon-excited electrons, generating direct current (DC). Silicon’s bandgap is ideally suited to absorb sunlight’s spectrum, freeing electrons efficiently. Monocrystalline cells, with their uniform crystal structure, achieve 20-50% efficiency. A typical 5kW rooftop system comprises 15-20 panels, each with 60-70 cells producing about 7000kWh/year. The DC current flows through conductive metal contacts to an inverter, which converts it to alternating current (AC). Inverters minimise losses and synchronise with the grid, enabling net metering to track excess power sent to utilities. Textured surfaces and anti-reflective coatings further enhance light absorption, minimizing reflection losses. These systems operate in diffuse light, ensuring reliability. One of the most important steps of solar adoption is choosing the right type of solar panel. To support this, a lot of market places such as Surya Sangam have emerged, which help streamline decision-making by offering affordable and transparent rooftop solutions.

Solar Thermal Plants

Solar thermal plants harness sunlight to generate heat, unlike PV systems which generate electricity. The heat which these thermal plants generate drive electricity production or provide direct heating. These plants use mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight, heating a working fluid to produce steam or drive generators. Most thermal plants rely on thermal energy conversion, leveraging principles of thermodynamics and optics. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is the dominant solar thermal technology for electricity, CSP plants use an array of mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver. The concentrated sunlight, which is up to 1000 times its natural intensity, heats a fluid, such as molten salt or synthetic oil. Molten salt, with its high heat capacity, stores thermal energy, enabling power generation at night. The science of CSP relies on optical precision and material properties.

Rooftop PV systems excel in accessibility, powering homes with minimal space, while CSP plants require large land areas, but offer storage advantages. Both systems leverage silicon’s abundance with PV directly using it in cells and CSP exploring hybrid designs. These technologies fulfill the vision of pioneers like Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel and Thomas Edison.

On top of being a renewable and clean source of energy, solar energy has a lot of tangible benefits like, it doesn't create noise during pollution , doesn't emit harmful radiations, it is capable of functioning with very little and regular maintenance. But one of the most attractive features of solar is that it can significantly bring down the electricity bill of a household. It can transform lives through cost savings, environmental relief and energy access. A 10kW rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system, suited for large Indian households, generates about 14,400 units of electricity annually, saving approximately rupees 1,15,200 yearly at a rupees 8/unit tariff rates. With electricity tariffs rising 3-10% annually, solar’s one-time investment breaks even in 3-5 years, yielding savings of about 35-70 lakhs over its 25 year lifespan. Government subsidies, like rupees 78,000 under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Yojna, makes this accessible, reducing the upfront cost of on-grid systems. Solar not only helps in reducing electricity bill costs but it also increases your home’s value. Net metering further amplifies savings in grid-tied systems. Excess power fed to the grid earns credits, offsetting nighttime usage, So during the day when PV panels are producing more power than what a respective household might use, the extra energy flows into the utility grid and the meter runs backwards which build up credit. These credits can often roll over month-month, with which, eventually one could end up with near-zero electricity bills. Net metering bridges the gap between producing solar energy and actually benefiting from it economically, which really helps people in reducing their electricity bills, making the whole solar and PV system both sustainable and user-friendly.

Solar panels are like an upgrade and studies show that homeowners pay a premium for a solar home. Although prices may differ over various areas, homes with solar panels are valued much more than ones without it. The biggest challenge which solar PV system installation faces right now is, its initial one-time cost which for a middle class household is still very high to pay. This upfront cost can be reduced by the government's initiative by providing subsidies and solar loans, these solutions paired with solar’s low operating and maintenance costs makes it a flexible means to transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable source of energy.

Due to its accessibility and easy to operate properties, over the past decade the global solar PV capacity grew from 177GW to a whopping 1,412 GW, which is approximately a 698% increase with a 28% global rate. Leaders all over the world are urging people to adopt solar and are offering heavy incentives to fund this growth. The cost of solar in regards to panel prices has dropped by 37% making it cheaper and more accessible to the people. By 2030, solar is projected to reach 6,000 GW globally and is said to become the biggest source of renewable energy leaving behind both hydro and wind. These falling costs, benefits, policy support and rising energy demands from data centers and EVs continue to make this industry the fastest-growing renewable energy source.

Even though it might seem like the odds are against us in our fight against climate change and it might look impossible to win, we still have ways to turn this tide around. The science behind solar cells has propelled solar energy into a cornerstone of the global energy transition. From its foundational discovery in 1839 by Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel to the maximum efficiency of silicone cells, solar technology has evolved into a powerful and accessible solution which is already showing promising results by being the biggest sources of energy for European Union countries for the month of June. This growth of solar has not only increased the dependency on renewable resources but has also reduced dependency on fossil fuels for daily needs and demands. By embracing solar, individuals and nations can accelerate the coal phase-out, align with climate goals and build a sustainable future.

Science Behind Solar electricity FAQs

1. Why is solar power suddenly growing so fast worldwide?

Lower panel costs, rising energy needs, government incentives coupled with solar’s flexibility, accessibility, one time cost and low maintenance costs have made it the fastest-growing renewable source of energy.

Surya Sangam is a leading market place that offers transparent and cost-effective rooftop solar solutions, Surya Sangam empowers households by helping them save significantly on electric bills, it connects homeowners with trusted vendors, providing high-efficiency monocrystalline panels, suited for India’s sunny climate. By simplifying access to reliable vendors and affordable systems, it bridges the gap between intention and installation, making solar adoption easier and smarter

2. What makes rooftop solar systems so cost-effective?

Rooftop PV systems cut your power bills drastically. With net metering, any excess power is credited back, and with subsidies and rising grid rates a one-time investment can lead to long-term savings of rupee 35-70 lakh over 25 years.

3. How exactly do solar panels generate electricity from sunlight?

Solar panels contain silicon-based solar cells with positive(P) and negative ( N) layers. When the sunlight strikes them, electrons move from N to P, creating a current, a process known as photovoltaic effect. That’s how sunlight becomes usable electricity.

4. What government support or incentives are available for Solar adoption?

The Indian government offers subsidies like India’s PM Surya Ghar Must BIjli Yojna, which provides up to rupees 78,000 in support for rooftop installations. The government also provides solar loans to make solar more accessible and affordable.

5. How does solar help reduce electricity bills?

Rooftop solar systems can save households lakhs over time. For example, a 10kW system in India can generate savings of rupees 1.5lakh/year and break even in 3-5 years. Net metering allows excess electricity to be sent to the grid, earning credits and reducing bills further.