The terms "photovoltaic panels" and "solar panels" are often used interchangeably to refer to the same type of technology. Photovoltaic panels and solar panels both refer to devices that convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. In essence, photovoltaic panels and solar panels are the same things. The term "photovoltaic panels" is often used to describe the individual cells or modules that make up a solar panel system, while the term "solar panels" is used to describe the entire system of multiple photovoltaic panels that are connected together to generate electricity.