The Science Behind Solar Panels

Solar energy is gathered by using solar panels to convert the sun s energy into electricity.

The science behind solar panels.

6 2017 to include recent advances in solar technology. The science behind solar pv cells. Ancient plants like their contemporary cousins converted solar energy into chemical energy with the help of photosynthesis. Even in sunny parts of the world s temperate regions for instance a collector must have a surface.

Solar electricity generation represents a clean alternative to electricity from fossil fuels with no air and water pollution no global warming pollution no risks of electricity price spikes and no threats to our public health. The science behind solar energy how is solar energy gathered or created. The science behind solar energy to the untrained eye solar energy systems which have minimal maintenance requirements and few components seem quite simple. The silicon has electrons in it that when hit.

16 2013 and was updated on dec. The solar panel is made up of silicon wafers that have wires attached inside to transfer the energy to the location that it is needed. Solar energy power from the sun is a vast inexhaustible and clean resource. Because the intensity of solar radiation at earth s surface is so low these collectors must be large in area.

But there is actually quite a bit of science that goes on behind the scenes as the energy from the sun is transformed into electricity that can power your home or business. When light energy strikes the solar cell electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the semiconductor material. Solar panels collect sun rays and convert the energy into 12v dc power. If electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides forming an electrical circuit the electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current that is 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. Passive solar collects heat in a thermal mass collector like a black slate floor behind a southern facing direction. Original article on live science. Solar pv panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity.

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. This article was originally published on dec.