What are Solar Panels?

Learn more about solar panels

Solar Panels are a form of active solar power, a term that describes how solar panels make use of the sun's energy: solar panels harvest sunlight and actively convert it to electricity. Solar Cells, or photovoltaic cells, are arranged in a grid-like pattern on the surface of the solar panel. These solar voltaic cells collect sunlight during the daylight hours and convert it into electricity.

What are solar panels made off?

Solar panels are typically constructed with crystalline silicon, which is used in other industries (such as the microprocessor industry), and the more expensive gallium arsenide, which is produces exclusively for use in photovoltaic (solar) cells.

Other, more efficient solar panels are assembled by desposting arnorphous silicon aloy in a continuous roll-to-roll process. The solar cells created from this process are called Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells, or A-si. Solar Panels constructed using amorphous silicon technology are more durable, efficient, and thinner than their crystalline counterparts.

For very important solar projects, such as space probes that have to relyon solar energy, very-high efficiency solar cells are constructed from galium arsenide by a process call molecular beam eoitaxy. Solar cells constructed by this process have several p-n junction diodes, each designed to be maximally efficient than conventional tyoes, but the process and material involved make them far too expensive for everyday applications.

The newest solar panels function on the molecular or quantam level, and represent an exciting new terchnology coming into play. These solar panels are created by implanting carbon nanotubes or quantum dot into a treated plastic. Unlike silicon-based solar panels, these solar panels do not have to be have to be constructed in a clean room, and therefore production costs are somewhat dimished.

For continued instruction in the manufacture of solar panels, see : How solar panels are made.

The practical applications of solar panels constructed from plastics are staggering - they could be overlayed onto a laptop screen to provide continuous power, or provide supplemental power to any number of outdoor appliances. The primary hurdle for this new technology is efficiency, and these 'plastic' solar panels have an operational efficiency of about .11% of silicon-basedcounterparts. The only short-term solution to this energy problem is for these plastic solar panels to generate electricity from light outside the visible spectrum of light. Some highly-experimental plastic solar panels have been made to absord infrared energy, and if the solar panel is made that can absord both infrared energy and light from the visible spectrum, the operational efficiency could increase up to thirty percent.

How much power do solar panels produce?

In direct sunlght at the surface of the equator, a maximally efficient photovoltaic cell about 1/5m in diameter creates a current of approximately 2 amps at 2 volts, however, due to the Earth's atmospheric interference, terran solar panels will never perform as well as solar panels exposed directly to the sun's rays. (see space-based solar power)

Years of verheating and physical wear can however, reduce the operation efficiency of the photovoltaic units. Solar cells become less efficient over time, and axcess energy is released into its thermally conductive substrate as infrared heat.

The amount of power solar panels produce is unfluenced by the quality of the solar panel, the materials and technology used in making the solar panel, and the amount of time the solar panel has been in use. When purchasing solar panels, it is therefore wise to look beyond size and look at the dollars/watt ratio.

Where does solar energy come from?

Solar energy originates in the depths of our sun. The sun endures a continuous stream of themonuclear explosions as hydrogen atoms are fused into helium atoms. We encounter the resultant energy as radiation that strikes the surface of the earth. Solar panels convert this solar radiation into useful electrical energy and store them in batteries for our use. Enough solar radiation strikes the earth day to meet earth's energy needs for an entire year. Solar panels hel us harvest this energy and convert it into usable energy to meet the everyday needs of modern life.

SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION TIPS

Solar Panels are typically installed on rooftops, building tops, or stand-alone facilities. It is vital to install your solar panel si that it gets the most direct sun exposure-you want to make sure your solar panel resources to help you properly set up and install your solar panels by tracking the position of the sun in the sky over the sky over the course of the year.

Position your solar panel in direct sunlight

Solar Panels perform at optimum capacity when placed in direct sunlight. Try to position your photovoltaic array directly under the noontime sun for maximum efficiency from your photovoltaic.

Notice obstructions to sunlight

Remove all items unnessary items or trim branches that may be blocking sunlight to your solar unit. Trace the path of the sun in the sky to determine if an object is casting a shadow over your solar photovoltaic panels. If this is the case, then the operating efficiency of your unit will undoubtedly suffer.

Mounting your Solar Panel

Solar Panel Mounts are used to install photovoltaic solar panels. Solar panel mounts come in three main varieties: pole mounts, roof-ground mounts and flush mounts. Using these mounts, you can install your solar panel onto an RV, on top of or against the side of a pole, on your roof, or even install them as a free-standing unit. You can learn more about installing solar panels using mounts in our mounts section.

Solar Panel and Power Meters

As you purchase more and more solar panels to power your home, your reliances on the city's power grid will progressively decline until your power meter doesn't turn at all. As you continue to buy solar panels, you wonder, what happens beyond that point? What happens on the day when my home produces more energy from solar panels that it needs?

Also, we recommend using a true sine sine wave inverter with your solar powered pump system. True Sine wave inverters tend to work better when motors are involved (such as those found in a water pump).