How To Simply Explain How Solar Panels Work

If your panels don t get a lot of sun they won t work as efficiently as advertised.

How to simply explain how solar panels work.

Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of 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. Wind is actually a form of solar power. Shade snow and other obstacles reduce the output of your solar panels.

Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. 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.

Solar panels are over 3 feet wide and 6 7 feet tall depending on configuration. In the simplest panels sun heats water flowing in a circuit through the collector the panel on your roof. How solar thermal panels work in theory. The water leaving the collector is hotter than the water entering it and carries its heat toward your hot water tank.

How do solar panels work to generate electricity. Solar pv panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity. Here s a simple summary of how rooftop solar hot water panels work. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight.

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. Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays.

For solar panels to supply the world s electrical needs less than 1 of the land would need to be covered in solar panels. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. Solar panels can work for decades.