How To Simply Explain How Solar Panels Work

When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect.

How to simply explain how solar panels work.

It is created by the uneven heating of the earth s surface. How do solar panels work to generate electricity. You can buy equipment designed to mitigate this but it costs more. Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass.

It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Solar panels are over 3 feet wide and 6 7 feet tall depending on configuration. These cells are made of semi conductive materials most often silicon a material that can conduct electricity while maintaining the electrical imbalance needed to create an electric field. If your panels don t get a lot of sun they won t work as efficiently as advertised.

Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. For solar panels to supply the world s electrical needs less than 1 of the land would need to be covered in solar panels. Once your designer has worked out what string length to be used i e.

A standard solar panel also known as a solar module consists of a layer of silicon cells a metal frame a glass casing and various wiring to allow current to flow from the silicon cells silicon atomic 14 on the periodic table is a nonmetal with conductive properties that allow it to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity. In the simplest panels sun heats water flowing in a circuit through the collector the panel on your roof. Wind is actually a form of solar power. When solar panels are put to work in a parallel array their voltage stays the same but you add up their current.

In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays. Shade snow and other obstacles reduce the output of your solar panels. The water leaving the collector is hotter than the water entering it and carries its heat toward your hot water tank.

How solar thermal panels work in theory. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. How many solar panels can be placed in series the designer needs to work out how many of those strings can be placed in parallel to get the desired system size.