The cookie settings on this website are set to 'allow all cookies' to give you the very best experience. Please click Accept Cookies to continue to use the site. Solar energy begins with the sun. Solar panels also known as " PV panels" are used to convert light from the sun, which is composed of particles of energy called " photons ", into electricity that can be used to power electrical loads.
Solar panels can be used for a wide variety of applications including remote power systems for cabins , telecommunications equipment , remote sensing , and of course for the production of electricity by residential and commercial solar electric systems. On this page, we will discuss the history, technology, and benefits of solar panels.
We will learn how solar panels work, how they are made, how they create electricity, and where you can buy solar panels. The development of solar energy goes back more than years. In the early days, solar energy was used primarily for the production of steam which could then be used to drive machinery.
But it wasn't until the discovery of the " photovoltaic effect " by Edmond Becquerel that would allow the conversion of sunlight solar electric energy.
Becquerel's discovery then led to the invention in by Charles Fritts of the first genuine solar cell which was formed by coating sheets of selenium with a thin layer of gold. And from this humble beginning would arise the device we know today as the solar panel. Russel Ohl , an American inventor on the payroll of Bell Laboratories, patented the world's first silicon solar cell in Ohl's invention led to the production of the first solar panel in by the same company.
Solar panels found their first mainstream use in space satellites. For most people, the first solar panel in their life was probably embedded in their new calculator - circa the s! Today, solar panels and complete solar panel systems are used to power a wide variety of applications. Yes, solar panels in the form of solar cells are still being used in calculators. Waar wacht je nog op? Download meteen ons megacool e-book met 5 praktische infographics!
Ontvang je gratis e-book. Om deze website optimaal te kunnen gebruiken dient u javascript in te schakelen. Got a question about energy? Ask it here! Ask a question or search for an energy term. Home environment and innovation generate your own energy what is a solar panel and how does it work?
What is a solar panel and how does it work? Two generations of solar panels The material most often used for solar cells is silicon. Second-generation solar panels consist of solar cells made of amorphous silicon. The convertor: the most important element in the installation A solar panel generates direct current. What production level can we expect? Read the testimonial Solar panels: an advantageous investment Pascale has had solar panels since Don't miss our new tips Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed about energyfacts.
Your email address: We promise we will only use your data to send you our newsletter as stated in our privacy policy. More about this topic in these dossiers. Make the most out of the sun! Find out more. Find out more Related questions When do I need a compliance certificate issued by an inspection body?
How to store electricity? How do I protect my appliances against power failures or power outages? What are the disadvantages of a heat pump? When sunlight hits the semiconductor in the solar PV cell step 1 in our high level review the energy from the light, in the form of photons, is absorbed, knocking loose a number of electrons, which then drift freely in the cell. The solar cell is specifically designed with positively and negatively charged semiconductors sandwiched together to create an electric field see the image to the left for a visualization.
This electric field forces the drifting electrons to flow in a certain direction- towards the conductive metal plates that line the cell. This flow is known as an energy current, and the strength of the current determines how much electricity each cell can produce. Once the loose electrons hit metal plates, the current is then directed into wires, allowing the electrons to flow like they would in any other source of electric generation step 2 in our process.
As the solar panel generates an electric current, the energy flows through a series of wires to an inverter see step 3 above. While solar panels generate direct current DC electricity, most electricity consumers need alternating current AC electricity to power their buildings. After the electricity is transformed into a usable state AC power , it is sent from the inverter to the electrical panel also called a breaker box [step 4], and distributed throughout the building as needed.
The electricity is now readily available to power lights, appliances, and other electrical devices with solar energy.
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