How Is Electricity Produced Using Solar Panels

To generate solar energy the photons radiated from the sun to earth must be collected converted into a usable format and then delivered to an electronic device or the electric grid.

How is electricity produced using solar panels.

Unlike fossil fuels solar energy is an infinitely renewable energy source. Arrays of photovoltaic cells are normally used to collect the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. Solar panels work by allowing particles of light called photons to knock electrons from their atomic orbitals. Photovoltaic pv systems use solar panels either on rooftops or in ground mounted solar farms converting sunlight directly into electric power.

Hydroelectric turbines use water to spin turbine blades and wind turbines use the wind. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to produce electricity according to the united states department of energy. The amount of energy produced by a single solar panel depends on the size of the solar panel and the location it is installed in. When this occurs a flow of electricity is generated and this electricity is harnessed and preserved as electrical energy.

Electricity generators that do not use turbines include solar photovoltaic cells which convert sunlight directly into electricity and fuel cells which convert fuels such as hydrogen into electricity through a chemical process. Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. Solar power has two forms the thermal and photovoltaic. Concentrated solar power csp also known as concentrated solar thermal plants use solar thermal energy to make steam that is thereafter converted into electricity by a turbine.

The solar kwh production calculator below will work out how many solar panels you need for your electric bill and then tell you how much energy solar panels will produce at your home. Solar energy is captured through solar panels and converted to solar electricity using photovoltaic pv technology. When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. In such cells a small electric voltage is generated when light strikes the junction between a metal and a semiconductor such as silicon or the junction between two different semiconductors.

Wattage is calculated by multiplying volts x amps where volts represents the amount of force of the electricity and amperes amps refers to the aggregate amount of energy used. Pv solar panels are longer lasting and efficiently convert energy from the sun to electricity. This all happens as light hits a unit called a photovoltaic cell. Solar panel wattage represents a solar panel s theoretical power production under ideal sunlight and temperature conditions.