Solar Panels - Photovoltaic Power At Work
Solar power is different from other types of energy. Of the two main categories of solar power, active and passive, Photovoltaic solar power is active. Let's look at it.
Types of Solar Panels
There are two main types: from a distance, both look like quite the same and both convert sunlight into energy, but in two different ways. The terms for the two types are solar thermal collector and photovoltaic modules.
1. Solar thermal collector: This type takes the solar energy in the form of heat and uses it to heat air or water.
2. Photovoltaic module: This type of solar panel collects solar energy and converts it to usable electricity.
How it Works The Photovoltaic Solar Power?
To answer that question, we must know what the photovoltaic effect is. The short answer is that photovoltaic refers to a photovoltaic module where "P" stands for photo and "V" for voltaic.
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines "photovoltaic" this way: "of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances."
In simpler terms, "photo" refers to sunlight and "voltaic" refers to electrical energy. Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electrical energy. Sunlight flows into the solar cells. Electrical energy flows out of the solar cells.
Components of a Photovoltaic Solar Panel
A PV solar panel is made up of many photovoltaic cells. These cells are electrically connected, and then covered with glass. The glass provides electrical insulation. It is also good protection from weather and other damaging forces.
When minimal energy is needed, such as that necessary to power a small appliance, a single small photovoltaic solar panel is sufficient, like those used to power electronic calculators. When more power is needed, an "array" of solar panels is created by connecting panels to one another. Normally the power produced is connected to a charge controller and stored in a battery bank. Most of the times as the stored power is used to move domestic appliances using AC, the solar panel array will be connected to an electrical inverter.
Photovoltaic Solar Power Efficiency
Conventional silicon solar cell convert about 14 to 17 percent of sunlight into usable electricity. That isn't much. Late in 2006, however, a new amorphous silicon solar cell was introduced. Solar panels that utilize the new cell can convert into electricity 22 percent of the sunlight they collect. Theoretically, the maximum that the cells of a solar panel can convert is said to be around 26 to 27 percent of incoming sunlight.
How Electricity is Produced?
Each photovoltaic cell is a semiconductor. When sunlight hits those cells, a certain part of the sunlight is absorbed by those silicon cells. The cells take in that part of the sunlight's energy. The cells then transfer the absorbed sunlight's energy to the electrons in the silicon. The electrons begin to flow, and this creates an electrical current. Metal contacts built into the top and bottom of the photovoltaic cells draw off that current and it is sent to the grid or stored in a battery. It is now usable electricity.
Photovoltaic solar power is being used increasingly with great success, and while it is true that cloud cover can affect it, the cloudy country of Germany leads the world in successful use of solar power.
Types of Solar Panels
There are two main types: from a distance, both look like quite the same and both convert sunlight into energy, but in two different ways. The terms for the two types are solar thermal collector and photovoltaic modules.
1. Solar thermal collector: This type takes the solar energy in the form of heat and uses it to heat air or water.
2. Photovoltaic module: This type of solar panel collects solar energy and converts it to usable electricity.
How it Works The Photovoltaic Solar Power?
To answer that question, we must know what the photovoltaic effect is. The short answer is that photovoltaic refers to a photovoltaic module where "P" stands for photo and "V" for voltaic.
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines "photovoltaic" this way: "of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances."
In simpler terms, "photo" refers to sunlight and "voltaic" refers to electrical energy. Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electrical energy. Sunlight flows into the solar cells. Electrical energy flows out of the solar cells.
Components of a Photovoltaic Solar Panel
A PV solar panel is made up of many photovoltaic cells. These cells are electrically connected, and then covered with glass. The glass provides electrical insulation. It is also good protection from weather and other damaging forces.
When minimal energy is needed, such as that necessary to power a small appliance, a single small photovoltaic solar panel is sufficient, like those used to power electronic calculators. When more power is needed, an "array" of solar panels is created by connecting panels to one another. Normally the power produced is connected to a charge controller and stored in a battery bank. Most of the times as the stored power is used to move domestic appliances using AC, the solar panel array will be connected to an electrical inverter.
Photovoltaic Solar Power Efficiency
Conventional silicon solar cell convert about 14 to 17 percent of sunlight into usable electricity. That isn't much. Late in 2006, however, a new amorphous silicon solar cell was introduced. Solar panels that utilize the new cell can convert into electricity 22 percent of the sunlight they collect. Theoretically, the maximum that the cells of a solar panel can convert is said to be around 26 to 27 percent of incoming sunlight.
How Electricity is Produced?
Each photovoltaic cell is a semiconductor. When sunlight hits those cells, a certain part of the sunlight is absorbed by those silicon cells. The cells take in that part of the sunlight's energy. The cells then transfer the absorbed sunlight's energy to the electrons in the silicon. The electrons begin to flow, and this creates an electrical current. Metal contacts built into the top and bottom of the photovoltaic cells draw off that current and it is sent to the grid or stored in a battery. It is now usable electricity.
Photovoltaic solar power is being used increasingly with great success, and while it is true that cloud cover can affect it, the cloudy country of Germany leads the world in successful use of solar power.
Source...