How To Simply Explain How Solar Panels Work

Solar panels are over 3 feet wide and 6 7 feet tall depending on configuration.

How to simply explain how solar panels work.

Solar panels can work for decades. In the simplest panels sun heats water flowing in a circuit through the collector the panel on your roof. For solar panels to supply the world s electrical needs less than 1 of the land would need to be covered in solar panels. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays.

When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. It is created by the uneven heating of the earth s surface. When solar panels are put to work in a parallel array their voltage stays the same but you add up their current. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity.

If your panels don t get a lot of sun they won t work as efficiently as advertised. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. How solar thermal panels work in theory. 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.

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. Once your designer has worked out what string length to be used i e. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units.

Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Wind is actually a form of solar power. 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.

You can buy equipment designed to mitigate this but it costs more. Shade snow and other obstacles reduce the output of your solar panels. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight.