Science Of How Solar Panels Work

When these free electrons are captured an electric current results that can be used as electricity.

Science of how solar panels work. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the semiconductor. Basically when light strikes the cell a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material. Solar panels generate electrical current by exploiting a phenomenon first described more than a century ago by a french physicist. Solar pv panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity.

That s a technical way of saying that the panel s photovoltaic cells convert the energy in sunlight to electricity specifically direct current dc. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon which is currently used most commonly.

In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. In 1839 henri becquerel noted that silver and platinum electrodes. Old school solar technology uses large crystals made out of silicon which produces an electrical current when struck by light.

How do solar panels work. Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level. 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. A solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity according to live science.

Ac energy then flows through the home s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly. Silicon can do this because the electrons in the crystal get up and.