How Solar Panels Create Electricity

Unlike fossil fuels solar energy is an infinitely renewable energy source.

How solar panels create electricity.

Inside each solar panel is a conductive metal plate connected to wires that lead to a fused array combiner. When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. Solar panels work by allowing particles of light called photons to knock electrons from their atomic orbitals. Yep like the band ac dc.

Energy from the array is sent through an inverter which transforms the initial direct electrical current into the alternating electrical current required to power human made structures. Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. Solar panel wattage represents a solar panel s theoretical power production under ideal sunlight and temperature conditions. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to produce electricity according to the united states department of energy.

A solar thermal system generates electricity indirectly by capturing the heat of the sun to produce steam which runs a turbine that produces electricity. A solar photovoltaic system produces electricity directly from the sun s light through a series of physical and chemical reactions known as the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels produce direct current dc and your home runs on alternating current ac. This ratio of ac to dc is called the derate factor and is typically about 8.

Solar power systems like the one on our roof produce power directly from the sun. The best demonstration of solar power in action that i have ever seen is at the children s museum of pittsburgh. This all happens as light hits a unit called a photovoltaic cell. An inverter is.

There are many factors which affect how well the cells do that. Sunlight is converted directly into electricity by each solar cell in the panels. Solar panels are made by joining a number of solar cells together in series. Wattage is calculated by multiplying volts x amps where volts represents the amount of force of the electricity and amperes amps refers to the aggregate amount of energy used.

Because of physics there are losses in converting the energy from the sun into dc power and turning the dc power into ac power. When this occurs a flow of electricity is generated and this electricity is harnessed and preserved as electrical energy. Arrays of photovoltaic cells are normally used to collect the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity.