What is Silicon?

Silicon is actually one of the most abundant element's in the earth's crust, next to oxygen. Atomic number 14, Si, occurs in clay, feldspar, granite and quartz. This material is used in very thin layesr in solar cells because of its high ability to absorb photons at the right wavelength from the sun. The excited electrons are then passed through a layer of aluminum or other similar metal, then through wires, making electricity! Its as simple as that.