How do Solar Panels make Electricity?

Solar panels may seem like a very complicated piece of technology, and to some, that may seem intimidating. We are here to tell you it does not need to be complicated! Here is how we Make Cents Out of Your Solar:

The Basics of Solar energy

Before explaining how solar panels work, first, we need to explain how solar panels are made. The ideal material to build solar panels out of is silicon; one of the world’s most abundant elements, however creating high-quality silicon crystals is difficult and expensive. To combat this, some solar panels are made of similar, but less expensive materials, such as copper, indium, gallium, and selenide. These materials aren’t quite as efficient at creating solar energy but still provide adequate power at reasonable costs.

During the manufacturing process, other elements are introduced to the silicon to change the electrical properties of the silicon atoms. Strips of negative (n-type) silicon, which has an extra electron, and positive (p-type) silicon that is missing one electron, are sandwiched together. The combination forms a photovoltaic cell. And when multiple photovoltaic cells are placed side by side under glass, they give us common solar panels.

Inside every solar panel is a conductive metal plate that is connected to wires that leads to a fused array combiner. The energy from the solar array is sent through an inverter that will transform the initial, direct electrical current into alternating current which is required to power most man-made structures.

From Solar Power to Electricity

Visible sunlight is made of particles called photons. Photons have energy, but zero rest mass. When the photons collide with other particles, their energy is converted into different forms depending on the kind of atoms they touch. Most of these collisions will only create heat.

However, electricity can be produced when the photons make electrons in the atoms so agitated that they break away way from the atom and move about freely. N-type silicon electrons will seek out the ones in p-type silicon to replace their missing electrons and the flow between the two types produced.

The incredible properties of semiconductors like silicon make it possible to sustain electrical imbalances. In turn, this means a steady flow of electricity as long as the photons hit the solar panels. The current is collected by wires and carried through the system.

Four factors That Impact Solar Energy Production

When investing in solar energy, there are four major factors during and after the installation that everyone should know about.

Shade. Solar panels blocked by shade will not produce the same amount of energy as solar panels that in direct sunlight. If your roof does not receive adequate sunlight, whether that be because of un-trimmable trees or buildings blocking the sunlight, solar may not be the best choice
Seasonality. Just as the weather changes every day, every month, and year, so will the productivity of your solar panels. A cloudy, winter day won’t be as productive as a sunny, summer day. With that being said, it is more important to focus on the yearly picture, rather than a daily picture. For example, snow can sometimes reflect the sunlight off the ground and increase your solar array’s performance. So in reality, a cold month will only become an issue if slush starts covering the panels.
Tilt. Solar Panels, unlike your coffee mug, benefit from good tilting. The direction your home is facing and the roof’s pitch both play significant roles in how efficient your solar panels will be. In the ideal scenario, solar panels should be at the same angle as the latitude they are mounted. Pitches between 30 degrees and 45 degrees usually work well.
Azimuth. The solar azimuth angle is the compass direction from where the sunlight is coming. At noon, sunlight comes from the south in the Northern Hemisphere and from the north in the Southern Hemisphere. An incorrect azimuth angle could reduce the energy output of a solar home panel by up to 35%. An azimuth of zero (facing the equator) is usually the best choice.

Where is Sun Home 360?

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Cost of Solar

As electricity rates are rising the cost of solar panels has never been lower. Switch to home solar and save with Sun Home 360.

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