How Do Solar Panels Work
With massive rebate programs and tax credits being issued by state and federal governments, solar is hot. So, how do solar panels work?
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. Importantly, the process has nothing to do with converting the heat produced by sunlight into energy. This common misconception leads to a lot of confusion regarding solar panels.
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The technology behind solar panels is known as photovoltaic technology. Essentially, this technology involves using sunlight to create a chemical reaction. During the chemical reaction, electrons are released from the relevant material and collected by tiny wires. This process creates a direct current of electricity. The electricity is then converted to usable alternating current electricity and stored in a battery or fed into a utility grid system.
Solar panels use this exact process to produce energy. The panels are made up of small squares called photovoltaic cells. A collection of these cells forms a single panel and a collection of panels makes up a “solar array.” The size of your array is entirely dependent upon the amount of electricity you want to produce.
The photovoltaic cells in a solar panel are where the action happens. The cells are typically made with crystalline silicon under a glass cover. When sunlight hits the crystalline silicon, the material reacts by kicking off electrons. Tiny wires built into the cells and collect the electrons in the form of an electrical current. This current is then sent to an inverter which converts it to usable electricity.
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The biggest issue with solar panels is how efficiently they convert sunlight into electricity. With solar panels, the answer depends on how much you want to spend. Top brands will convert at roughly 15 percent efficiency. Less expensive brands will convert at 5 to 10 percent efficiency. The more efficient the panels, the fewer you will need.
How do solar panels work? The process is surprisingly simple.
