Energy from the sun has sustained man's activities for thousands of years. It can be harnessed directly as light energy to generate electricity from Photovoltaic (PV) Cells, or as thermal energy for heating, cooking, drying and electricity generation from thermal systems. However, using PV cells has been the preferred method of solar electricity generation for several decades now. Selecting the appropriate PV cell for a particular region requires a proper understanding of the basic mechanisms and functions of various PV technologies that are commonly used. In this paper, we have reviewed the progressive development of solar PV technologies from the first generation to present day configurations. Discussion is also made on the various Solar PV production data across different regions, including relevant recommendations for improvements.