Solar Panel How It Wrok

How do solar panels work.

Solar panel how it wrok.

Photo voltaic cells use sunlight as a source of energy and generate direct current electricity a collection of pv modules is called a pv panel and a system of panels is an array. Solar power had a slow start until 2012 when it started to capture a more significant share of the clean energy net generation it rose to its highest ever level to date in 2018 with 66 6 billion kilowatt hours and there is no end in sight with a staggering 49 9 percent annual growth in the united states between 2013 and 2018. Solar panels are composed of many smaller photovoltaic cells linked together. The term solar panel is used colloquially for a photo voltaic pv module.

How do solar panels work to generate electricity. When you really break them down a solar panel is nothing more than a big sheet of glass over a metal frame with a patch of wiring that runs to your home s main. For the sake of example if you are getting 5 hours of direct sunlight per day in a sunny state like california you can calculate your solar panel output this way. How do solar panels work.

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. A module is a group of cells connected electrically and packaged into a frame more commonly known as a solar panel which can then be grouped into larger solar. The solar cells that you see on calculators and satellites are also called photovoltaic pv cells which as the name implies photo meaning light and voltaic meaning electricity convert sunlight directly into electricity. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight.

To understand how silicon solar panels make electricity requires shrinking down to the atomic level. Silicon has an atomic number of 14 which means that it has 14. The more panels you deploy the more energy you generate. How much energy does a solar panel produce.

Thus the output for each solar panel in your array would. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. Solar panels work by letting photons released by the sun knock electrons free from atoms and thus generate a flow of electricity. 5 hours x 290 watts an example wattage of a premium solar panel 1 450 watts hours or roughly 1 5 kilowatt hours kwh.

It s an idea that has been around for well over a century.