Solar Panel Operating Principle

This makes the system far more convenient and compact compared to thermal methods of solar energy conversion.

Solar panel operating principle.

Solar modules are made of semiconductors that are very similar to those used to create integrated circuits for electronic equipment. Working principle of solar cell when light reaches the p n junction the light photons can easily enter in the junction through very thin p type layer. They convert sunlight into direct current dc electricity. The most common type of semiconductor currently in use.

While total photovoltaic energy production is minuscule it is likely to increase as fossil fuel resources shrink. Solar cell multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules commonly called solar modules are the key components used to convert sunlight into electricity. The process of conversion first requires a material which absorbs the solar energy photon and then raises an electron to a higher energy state and then the flow of this high energy electron to an external circuit. Based on the principle of photovoltaic effect solar cells or photovoltaic cells are made.

In fact calculations based on the world s projected energy consumption by 2030 suggest that global energy demands would be fulfilled by solar panels operating at 20 percent efficiency and covering only about 496 805 square km 191 817 square miles of earth s surface. The light energy in the form of photons supplies sufficient energy to the junction to create a number of electron hole pairs. But a single photovoltaic cell does not produce enough amount of electricity.