How Solar Photovoltaic Panels Work
Solar photovoltaic panel is just another way of saying solar panel
, i.e. those panels that collect the energy from the sun and convert this into usable electricity. Until recently, solar panels used silicon as the base material to generate electricity from the sun, and this limitation has been preventing significant progress in solar technology.
Amorphous, polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon is the critical component of solar photovoltaic panels. Amorphous solar panels are made from silicon that has no crystal structure, purely random silicon and this is about 5% efficient. For every kilowatt (1kW) of power the solar cell receives, it will give you 50 watts of usable electricity.
Power is generated from solar photovoltaic cells when light strikes the silicon semiconductors. The light is absorbed into the material and the energy releases electrons that are allowed to flow. This flow of electrons creates the current and by using metal contacts, you can draw the electricity off to use either directly in your home appliances or to charge a battery so you can use the power later on.
Photovoltaic cells are made of silicon semiconductors, and when light strikes the cell, it is absorbed into the semiconductor material. The energy frees electrons allowing them to flow freely. This flow of electrons is a current, and by placing metal contacts on the top and bottom of the solar photovoltaic cell, electricity can be drawn off to be used externally.
Panels are available using amorphous, polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon. Amorphous panels are made from silicon which has no crystalline structure, just random silicon. The efficiency rating of this type of panel is usually about 6%. Meaning that for every 1000 watts of solar energy that strikes a given panel, 60 watts is converted into usable electricity. This should be a significant factor in your choice of panel.
Amorphous panels perform well in more temperate areas that don't get blazing hot sun, like the Pacific Northwest, or Great Britain. In fact, under these conditions, they outperform poly and monocrystalline silicon panels, and is something worth considering when you are looking for solar panels.
The next options are polycrystalline panels. These are a little expensive to produce but are much more efficient, at about 12%. They can be half the size of the amorphous silicon panels to produce a similar output of power. This may or may not be significant in your choice of panel, rather than just the size of the panel.
A single sliced crystal of silicon makes up a monocrystalline panel. These are about 14% efficient, but these are most expensive type to buy. These along with the polycrystalline panels, would perform very well in hot climates with lots of sun, Arizona, Indonesia, India and especially the middle east.
Net voltage outputs can be 12v, 24v or 28, however 12v is the most common.
Needless to say if you install enough solar panels you can make a very meaningful reduction in your electricity bill, up to 80% or even supplement it completely.
Nowadays you have many options to go solar. Photovoltaic cells can either be purchased, or built from scratch or using solar kits. They can be constructed for as little as $300 and will give you energy savings throughout their lifetime of years.
The key is to have the right information and many home made energy guides exist. Most are practical enough, you shouldn't need any engineering skills to construct home solar panels.
by: Mark Tan
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