Conductors, Insulators, and Solar Cells: A Simple Introduction

Young students show great interest in solar energy and a genuine curiosity towards the operating mechanisms of a solar cell. This study reports on a methodology that reveals an effective approach in explaining the operation of solar cells to young students with very limited knowledge in solid-state physics. The methodology can be presented in the form of slides or, in our experience, better by means of a kinesthetic activity involving the whole class.