How Are Solar Panels Used To Generate Electricity

Solar power is arguably the cleanest most reliable form of renewable energy available and it can be used in several forms to help power your home or business solar powered photovoltaic pv panels convert the sun s rays into electricity by exciting electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun.

How are solar panels used to generate electricity.

So how do solar panels actually generate electricity. In such cells a small electric voltage is generated when light strikes the junction between a metal and a semiconductor such as silicon or the junction between two different semiconductors. Solar energy is a renewable energy resource that is more affordable now than ever before and is used to produce electricity for a wide variety of residential and commercial uses. Here s the process demystified.

When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. To generate solar energy the photons radiated from the sun to earth must be collected converted into a usable format and then delivered to an electronic device or the electric grid. Wattage is calculated by multiplying volts x amps where volts represents the amount of force of the electricity and amperes amps refers to the aggregate amount of energy used.

This electricity can then be used to supply renewable energy to your home or. To find out how solar panels work you need to understand how they re made. Then it makes energy with no energy cost at all for the rest of its life. Solar panel wattage represents a solar panel s theoretical power production under ideal sunlight and temperature conditions.

An inverter is. Solar radiation may be converted directly into electricity by solar cells photovoltaic cells. Many solar panels use silicon one of the planet s most common elements. Electricity produced from sunlight will be a key part of our journey toward sustainable energy in the future.

Unlike fossil fuels solar energy is an infinitely renewable energy source. Solar energy solar energy electricity generation. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays. Eventually fossil fuels a non renewable energy source will be depleted and the world will have to turn toward renewable energy.

Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to produce electricity according to the united states department of energy. Photovoltaic method using solar panels and semiconductors is the easiest and most widely used method of harnessing solar energy to generate electricity for homes and small to medium sized industrial and commercial establishments. Solar energy is one of the most affordable renewable energy sources available today.