Solar Panel Arrays And How It Works

How do solar panels work.

Solar panel arrays and how it works.

Mit researchers just unveiled a new three dimensional solar array that can produce up to 20 times more energy per square foot than traditional flat arrays and it s potentially more efficient than. Solar panels work by letting photons released by the sun knock electrons free from atoms and thus generate a flow of electricity. Multiple cells make up a solar panel and multiple panels modules can be wired together to form a solar array. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity.

The insolation value at your location. Solar panels are composed of many smaller photovoltaic cells linked together. The number of watt hours wh you plan to produce in one day. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight.

Step by step overview. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. A watt hour is a measure of energy. Well okay there s a little research involved too to estimate the size of your solar array you ll need to know.

The more panels you deploy the more energy you generate. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. 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. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays.

The solar panels feed into the inverter system. A solar panel is made up of six different components but arguably the most important one is the photovoltaic cell which actually generates electricity. When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. If conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of a cell it forms an electrical circuit.

It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. When electrons flow through such a circuit they generate electricity. The conversion of sunlight into electrical energy by a solar cell is called the photovoltaic effect hence why we refer to solar. When photons hit a solar cell they knock electrons loose from their atoms.