How To Simply Explain How Solar Panels Work

In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight.

How to simply explain how solar panels work.

When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. Wind is actually a form of solar power. In the simplest panels sun heats water flowing in a circuit through the collector the panel on your roof.

When solar panels are put to work in a parallel array their voltage stays the same but you add up their current. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. How many solar panels can be placed in series the designer needs to work out how many of those strings can be placed in parallel to get the desired system size. Shade snow and other obstacles reduce the output of your solar panels.

It is created by the uneven heating of the earth s surface. Solar pv panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity. For solar panels to supply the world s electrical needs less than 1 of the land would need to be covered in solar panels. How do solar panels work to generate electricity.

How solar thermal panels work in theory. You can buy equipment designed to mitigate this but it costs more. These cells are made of semi conductive materials most often silicon a material that can conduct electricity while maintaining the electrical imbalance needed to create an electric field. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays.

Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. Solar panels are over 3 feet wide and 6 7 feet tall depending on configuration. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity.

Here s a simple summary of how rooftop solar hot water panels work. Once your designer has worked out what string length to be used i e. The water leaving the collector is hotter than the water entering it and carries its heat toward your hot water tank.