How Do Solar Panels Produce Energy

How do solar panels work to generate electricity.

How do solar panels produce energy.

When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. Unlike fossil fuels solar energy is an infinitely renewable energy source. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays. A solar panel looks so simple to the naked eye but how does something this thin convert sunlight to energy.

Solar panels are made of several layers of material. The conversion can either be done through photovoltaics indirectly through concentrated solar power or using both methods. When talking about solar power production we are merely speaking of the energy in watts we get from converting the sunlight into electricity. Based on the efficiency of the average solar panel you can expect to convert between 15 and 20 of sunshine into electricity.

How much energy does a solar panel produce. Solar panels work by allowing particles of light called photons to knock electrons from their atomic orbitals. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to produce electricity according to the united states department of energy. 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.

Thus the output for each solar panel in your array would. The top layer of glass protects the individual smaller units called solar cells. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. When this occurs a flow of electricity is generated and this electricity is harnessed and preserved as electrical energy.

What are solar panels made of. A 360 watt panel will tend to produce around 20 more energy than a 300 watt panel even if they don t operate at their rated wattage in actual projects. Eventually fossil fuels a non renewable energy source will be depleted and the world will have to turn toward renewable energy. Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass.

For the sake of example if you are getting 5 hours of direct sunlight per day in a sunny state like california you can calculate your solar panel output this way. Solar power is arguably the cleanest most reliable form of renewable energy available and it can be used in several forms to help power your home or business solar powered photovoltaic pv panels convert the sun s rays into electricity by exciting electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun. How does a solar panel produce energy. 5 hours x 290 watts an example wattage of a premium solar panel 1 450 watts hours or roughly 1 5 kilowatt hours kwh.

How much energy does a solar panel produce.