How It Works Solar Photovoltaic Panels

Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon which is currently used most commonly.

How it works solar photovoltaic panels.

Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. Researchers soon discovered that this property called the photoelectric effect could be harnessed.

This process varies depending on the type of solar technology but there are a few steps common across all solar photovoltaic cells. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage such as a common 12 volts system. Photovoltaic cells absorb the sun s energy and convert it to dc electricity the solar inverter converts dc electricity from your solar modules to ac electricity which is used by most home. Basically when light strikes the cell a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material.

Light is absorbed by the pv cell and knocks electrons loose. 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. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the semiconductor.

Here are the main steps for how solar panels work for your home. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline monocrystalline panels are composed of multiple rows and columns of silicon wafers that are placed inside of a single solar panel s glass casing. The first photovoltaic pv cells made of selenium were. Electricity flows through your home.

Thin film solar panels work in the same photovoltaic manner as crystalline silicon modules without the bulky wafers and glass panelling. The current produced is directly dependent on how much light strikes the module. The solar photovoltaic cells in your solar panels are the mechanisms which convert sunlight into energy. Photovoltaic cells through the photovoltaic effect absorb sunlight and generate flowing electricity.