How Do Photovoltaic Solar Panels Work

Today s most common pv devices use a single junction or interface to create an electric field within a semiconductor such as a pv cell.

How do photovoltaic solar panels work.

This means that the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the semiconductor. Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon which is currently used most commonly. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells generating direct current dc energy and then converting it to usable alternating current ac energy with the help of inverter technology.

Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. This process varies depending on the type of solar technology but there are a few steps common across all solar photovoltaic cells. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units.

Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. Hey want to know the science behind this in more detail. When sunlight hits the solar panel pv cells produce direct current dc electricity. Solar pv systems can be relatively simple with their main components being solar panels or modules.

You can save money by harvesting this free energy. 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. Basically when light strikes the cell a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material. Light is absorbed by the pv cell and knocks electrons loose.

The solar photovoltaic cells in your solar panels are the mechanisms which convert sunlight into energy. See the explanation from nasa. Photovoltaic cells through the photovoltaic effect absorb sunlight and generate flowing electricity. They can be connected in both series and parallel electrical arrangements to produce any required voltage and current combination.

Each solar panel contains photovoltaic pv cells. How does photovoltaic energy work.