At a high level, solar panels are made up of solar cells, which absorb sunlight. They use this sunlight to create direct current (DC) electricity through a process called "the photovoltaic effect. " Because most appliances don't use DC electricity, devices called inverters then convert it to. The sun emits heat and light in the form of solar radiation, also known as electromagnetic radiation. Solar technologies capture this radiation and turn it into useful forms of energy. Is solar power a clean energy source? Yes, solar power is a renewable and infinite energy source that creates no harmful greenhouse gas emissions –. Solar panels harness sunlight through the photovoltaic effect, converting solar energy into clean, renewable electricity for a sustainable future.