How Do Solar Pv Panels Work

The first photovoltaic pv cells made of selenium were.

How do solar pv panels work.

Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. This power runs through your electrical panel box just like electricity you get from the grid and you can potentially run your entire house on solar power than power taken from the grid. 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 panels are made of a thin layer of semi conducting material sandwiched between a sheet of glass and a polymer resin.

When you install solar panels on your house the pv cells convert sunlight into direct current dc and an inverter connected to the system is what converts direct current into alternating current ac which is the type of current needed to power your household appliances. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage such as a common 12 volts system. A number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a support structure or frame is called a photovoltaic module.

How does solar pv work. Light is absorbed and knocks electrons loose. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight.

The current is captured and transferred to wires. A solar photovoltaic pv cell turns sunlight into usable electricity in three general steps. Loose electrons flow creating a current. 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.

To see how solar works let s look at a typical pv system. Solar cells produce energy in three steps. Researchers soon discovered that this property called the photoelectric effect could be harnessed.