Photovoltaic Solar Panels How They Work

The cells are small but when combined together in solar arrays they become very efficient.

Photovoltaic solar panels how they work. Pv in solar panels means photovoltaic because the panels consist of small photovoltaic cells that are connected together. 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. How do solar panels work to generate electricity. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units called photovoltaic cells.

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. A pv module is an assembly of photo voltaic cells mounted in a framework for installation. You ve probably seen calculators with solar cells devices that never need batteries and in some cases don t even have an off button. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century.

The type of solar panel you normally see on people s roofs are called photovoltaic solar panels photo meaning light and voltaic meaning to do with electricity. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage such as a common 12 volts system. Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity many cells linked together make up a solar panel. The term solar panel is used colloquially for a photo voltaic pv module.

Solar panels are made out of photovoltaic cells which is why generating electricity with solar panels is also called solar pv that convert the sun s energy into electricity. Pv cells are made out of semiconducting material silicone being the most commonly used. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. How do solar panels work.

In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. The sunshine on the cells creates electricity. There is a common misconception that photovoltaic solar panels and thermal solar panels function the same but they actually have different purposes. So how do they work.

As the name suggests photovoltaic or pv panels convert light directly into electrical energy. Photovoltaic cells are sandwiched between layers of semi conducting materials such as silicone. As long as there s enough light they seem to work forever you may also have seen larger solar panels perhaps on emergency road signs call boxes buoys and even in parking lots to power the lights.