Solar 101 Solar Panels | Page 6

The Bands

The electron hole is created once the free electron breaks away from the original atom.

The holes from the electron is known as a positive charge where they are conducting current.

Holes

Valence Bands

A valence band is the outermost energy level (farthest from the nucleus) that has electrons.

An electron in the valence band with enough thermal energy can make a jump from valence to conduction.

When the electron jumps it will cause a hole within the valence band.

Conduction Bands

A conduction band is the lowest unfilled energy level. In a conductor, they are the same. A drop from conduction band to valence releases energy.

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