How do solar panels work?
Posted by Solar energy guru | Filed under Solar power systems
Solar panels are the devices that convert solar energy into several other forms of energy in order to generate power. This can be used perform several functions.
Solar panels are broadly categorized into three major categories that include:
- Solar panels which are used to generate electricity
- Solar panels which are used to generate heat
- Solar panels which can be used for domestic purposes, such as heating water at home
All of the three models of solar panels work differently. However, the function performed by them remains the same i.e. generation of power. The panels, which are used to generate electricity, are also known as photovoltaic cells. Whether these solar panels are used in a mini calculator or a space station, the principles of electronics, which are employed by the solar panel, remain the same throughout. Solar panels work when there is a free flow of electrons throughout the circuit.
Solar panels depend on silicon to generate electricity and power. The silicon plate is cleaned in order to remove all possible traces of impurities from it so that it can allow free flow of electrons over it. This silicon plate also consists of atomic level properties that make it even more a viable option for easy transmission of electrons. This is the reason why silicon is used to make the plates for solar panels. However, one cannot create energy by simply combining silicon plates, as all of them are neutral in state. They do not contain either positive or negative charge. Thus, these silicon plates are combined with other elements so that significant charge can be produced through them.
Silicon plates are combined with other elements, such as phosphorous and boron so that they can produce negative and positive charge respectively. The negative plates of the solar panel are placed at such angles to the sun, so that the photons (energy particles emitted from the sun) can successfully bombard the silicon/phosphorous atoms.
Subsequently, as the photons break off a large number of electrons, electricity gets generated that can be used for several other purposes. However, the amount of energy generated by a single solar panel is not sufficient. Yet, when a large number of solar cells are combined together, sufficient energy is produced to perform several operations.
A large number of people do not prefer to make use of solar panels because of the minimal amount of energy, which is produced by them as compared to their huge size. Different operations require different amount of energy. A small solar calculator can suffice its energy requirements even by using a single solar cell. A bigger object, such as a car, which is solar-powered, might require several thousand solar cells combined together in order to make it work. Moreover, another factor, which one should keep in mind while producing energy from solar cells, is that if the angle of the solar panel is changed bit, it can result in huge changes for energy that is produced by it.
In certain cases, the amount of solar energy could even drop by humongous fifty percent in case the solar panel is not positioned in the right way. Solar panels, which are often referred as the photovoltaic cells is a direct hint at the important role played by photons in the generation of electricity via solar energy. Although solar panels are a success, right now scientists need to come up with more efficient versions of solar panels that can be used in day-to-day life while making our lives easier. No doubt, solar energy is a renewable source of constant power and solar panels can be used over a long period of time.
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