How Do Solar Panels Pv Cells Work

The solar photovoltaic cells in your solar panels are the mechanisms which convert sunlight into energy.

How do solar panels pv cells work.

The photovoltaic effect is a complicated process but these three steps are the basic way that energy from the sun is converted into electricity by solar cells. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage such as a common 12 volts system. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity.

Light is absorbed and knocks electrons loose. The current is captured and transferred to wires. The electricity moves throughout your home powering lights appliances and anything else you wish to use it on. This pv assembly is called a module and you can wire these modules together into an array.

Rays of sunlight photons are absorbed by the solar panels. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. Each panel consists of several smaller components called photovoltaic pv cells photovoltaic means that it converts light into electricity. A number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a support structure or frame is called a photovoltaic module.

Loose electrons flow creating a current. 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 arrays like the one operating at nellis air force base in nevada. Each pv cell works by allowing a photon which is a particle of light to knock electrons free from atoms this action creates a flow of electricity. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight.

The solar cells that you see on calculators and satellites are also called photovoltaic pv cells which as the name implies photo meaning light and voltaic meaning electricity convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar cells produce energy in three steps. Photovoltaic cells inside the solar panels absorb the sun s energy and generate dc electricity. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century.

Photovoltaic technology is commonly attached to a panel. The solar inverter converts the dc energy from your solar panels into ac energy. The current produced is directly dependent on how much light strikes the module. A solar photovoltaic pv cell turns sunlight into usable electricity in three general steps.