Solar panels do not create energy directly from heat. They generate electricity using a phenomenon called the photovoltaic effect, which involves the conversion of light energy into electrical energy. While solar panels do absorb sunlight and can get warm in the process, their primary function is to convert the photons (light particles) from sunlight into usable electrical energy.
Solar panels consist of multiple solar cells, typically made of semiconductor materials such as silicon. When photons from sunlight strike these cells, they excite the electrons within the material, causing them to flow and generate an electric current. This process is not dependent on the temperature of the solar panel itself but rather on the intensity and quality of the light it receives.
It's worth noting that solar panels are more efficient in converting light energy into electricity when they operate at lower temperatures. Excessive heat can reduce their overall efficiency, which is why some solar installations incorporate cooling mechanisms to maintain optimal operating temperatures. However, the energy conversion process in solar panels is fundamentally based on the absorption of light, not heat.