How Do Solar Panels Woirk

A solar panel is made up of numerous photovoltaic cells linked together.

How do solar panels woirk.

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. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. How does solar energy work. Photovoltaic cells are sandwiched between layers of semi conducting materials such as silicone.

How do solar panels work. How do solar panels work to generate electricity. Once solar panels are installed on your roof and begin to create energy there are a few steps required to turn it into energy your home can use. When you really break them down a solar panel is nothing more than a big sheet of glass over a metal frame with a patch of wiring that runs to your home s main.

The panel is encased in glass with an anti reflective coating that ensures that the solar panels get the most sun exposure possible. 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. As the sun hits the solar panels they generate direct current dc electricity where the electrons flow around a circuit in one direction. 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.

Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity.