How does a solar panel work?
Weall know that solar panels utilize sunlight to generate electricity but only afew people know the detail of this process. Well, solar panels are made up ofphotovoltaic cells that work to convert solar energy into electricity. Youmight be thinking about where these photovoltaic cells are located in a panel?These cells are embedded between the semi-conducting materials called silicon.The electronic property of each layer varies but works to generate energy whenhit by sunlight photons results in the production of the electric field. Thisis called the photoelectric effect that produces current to create electricity.It means solar panels have enough capacity to generate direct current by usingsunlight. Now let's move towards the step-by-step guide so that you'llunderstand this process more clearly.
How is electricityproduced through solar panels?
Weare going to discuss few steps here that'll help you to find how solar powerworks.
Steps1:
Everypanel is manufactured by using a layer of silicon cells, covered with a metalframe, and has a glass casing. Each panel is joined together in ordered seriesand then you can place them in rooftops. Solar cells are also known asphotovoltaic cells soak up sunlight during daylight that activates the panels.
Step 2:
Thesolar cells contain slim semiconductor wafers. Each wafer is created with twolayers of silicon. One layer is positively charged while the other is anegatively charged layer generating an electric field. The cell receives enoughenergy in the morning when the sun shines bright and the light strikes thephotovoltaic solar cell. The charged cell causes electrons to spring open fromthe atoms but stays within the semiconductor wafer. The moment electrons comeloose they start moving in the circular motion around the wafer that creates anelectric current. This is how the cell produced an electric current.
Step 3:
Nowthe solar panels have started working properly and transforming sunlight intoelectricity efficiently. However, the electricity produced during this processis called direct current and the one used in our homes is AC. Luckily, you caneasily change DC into AC by using an inverter. In solar systems, the invertersare already attached to the system or the microinverter for each panel.
Step 4:
Oncethe inverter converts DC into AC then the electricity will start runningthrough the panel and power the applications you've connected the panel with.The working of solar panels is the same as a grid that generates electricity.This means you'll not need to change anything in your home. However, afterswitching from traditional electricity to solar panels you'll not lose controlover the traditional one. In case of any issue, you can easily switch back tothe traditional electricity.
Step 5:
Duringcloudy days solar panels do not work adequately and are unable to catch thesunlight. But during the middle of the day when no one is using any appliancesand everyone is out for work the panels store surplus energy for emergency use.However, utility companies also provide the credits for the surplus electricitystore. This is called net metering.
Conclusion
Wehope that now you understand the basics of how solar works and how photovoltaictechnology changes sunlight to electricity. So get yourself the solar panelsnow to save your energy bills and to make the environment clean.
Check out this article for more information: Best 2000 watt Solar Panels
