Solar Panel Systems Work
The use of solar cells to turn heat energy from the sun into electricity is a great way to conserve resources and, of course, on monthly electricity bills. It may not seem obvious to most people but solar-powered devices can be found almost anywhere. Such devices include calculators, road signs, call boxes, buoys, and even sunglasses.
Ever since solar-powered devices came about, the idea of a “solar revolution” has been in the minds of many. Imagine how liberating it would be to completely live off the grid, a time when we use as much electricity as we want – for free! Considering how powerful the sun is, solar revolution is not such a far out idea. It is said that on a clear, sunny day, the earth receives more heat energy from the sun in one hour than the world can use in a whole year. That’s more than enough energy to light up our homes and power our appliances.
So how is solar energy converted into electricity? Through the use of solar cells, also called photovoltaic or PV cells. PV cells are commonly made of silicon, which are considered semi-conductors. It is these semi-conductors that absorb energy from the sun’s light. When light is absorbed, electrons are knocked loose. Electrical fields in PV cells force these electrons flowing freely to move in the same direction.
The uniform flow of the electrons is called current, which is what is drawn to power up a device. Metal contacts placed on top and at the bottom of solar cells are what draws the current out. Current, together with voltage (product of a PV cell’s electrical field), define the amount of power each solar cell can produce.