The Science Behind Solar Panels

Even in sunny parts of the world s temperate regions for instance a collector must have a surface.

The science behind solar panels.

The science behind solar energy how is solar energy gathered or created. But there is actually quite a bit of science that goes on behind the scenes as the energy from the sun is transformed into electricity that can power your home or business. When light energy strikes the solar cell electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the semiconductor material. This article was originally published on dec.

Among the most common devices used to capture solar energy and convert it to thermal energy are flat plate collectors which are used for solar heating applications. The solar cells that you see on calculators and satellites are also called photovoltaic pv cells which as the name implies photo meaning light and voltaic meaning electricity convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy power from the sun is a vast inexhaustible and clean resource. If electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides forming an electrical circuit the electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current that is electricity.

Solar energy is gathered by using solar panels to convert the sun s energy into electricity. Passive solar collects heat in a thermal mass collector like a black slate floor behind a southern facing direction. 6 2017 to include recent advances in solar technology. The science behind solar energy to the untrained eye solar energy systems which have minimal maintenance requirements and few components seem quite simple.

Solar electricity generation represents a clean alternative to electricity from fossil fuels with no air and water pollution no global warming pollution no risks of electricity price spikes and no threats to our public health. 16 2013 and was updated on dec. Ancient plants like their contemporary cousins converted solar energy into chemical energy with the help of photosynthesis. Solar pv panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity.

Because the intensity of solar radiation at earth s surface is so low these collectors must be large in area. These cells are made of semi conductive materials most often silicon a material that can conduct electricity while maintaining the electrical imbalance needed to create an. Solar panels collect sun rays and convert the energy into 12v dc power. The science behind solar power from big bang to solar panels tuesday 07 august 2018 published in educational did you know the chemical energy stored in fossil fuels originally came from the sun.

The science behind solar pv cells. Original article on live science.