How Solar Panel Photovoltaic Systems Work

A pv module is an assembly of photo voltaic cells mounted in a framework for installation.

How solar panel photovoltaic systems work.

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. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity many cells linked together make up a solar panel. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight.

Photo voltaic cells use sunlight as a source of energy and generate direct current electricity a collection of pv modules is called a pv panel and a system of panels is an array. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage such as a common 12 volts system. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units called photovoltaic cells.

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. 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. The term solar panel is used colloquially for a photo voltaic pv module. A standard solar panel also known as a solar module consists of a layer of silicon cells a metal frame a glass casing and various wiring to allow current to flow from the silicon cells silicon atomic 14 on the periodic table is a nonmetal with conductive properties that allow it to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity.

The current produced is directly dependent on how much light strikes the module.