How Do Solar Pv Panels Work

Solar panels are made of a thin layer of semi conducting material sandwiched between a sheet of glass and a polymer resin.

How do solar pv panels work. When exposed to daylight the semi conducting material becomes energised and this produces electricity. A number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a support structure or frame is called a photovoltaic module. To see how solar works let s look at a typical pv system. Solar cells produce energy in three steps.

Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. How does solar pv work. Solar panels are attached to an aluminium mounting system which is secured to the roof typically directly to the rafters solar cells can also be integrated directly into the roof tiles this is more suitable for new builds than retrofits. This power runs through your electrical panel box just like electricity you get from the grid and you can potentially run your entire house on solar power than power taken from the grid.

Loose electrons flow creating a current. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. Researchers soon discovered that this property called the photoelectric effect could be harnessed. Light is absorbed and knocks electrons loose.

When you install solar panels on your house the pv cells convert sunlight into direct current dc and an inverter connected to the system is what converts direct current into alternating current ac which is the type of current needed to power your household appliances. The current is captured and transferred to wires. The current produced is directly dependent on how much light strikes the module. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity.

It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. A solar photovoltaic pv cell turns sunlight into usable electricity in three general steps. The photovoltaic effect is a complicated process but these three steps are the basic way that energy from the sun is converted into electricity by solar cells.