How Do Solar Panels Work?

When asking the question 'How do solar panels work?' you potentially bring down complicated technical and mathematical details that are way beyond what you wanted to know. Or you may find a sales professional who will angle the information to make a sale. In this article we will provide a straight forward answer to your question.

Solar Education

A solar panel collects the energy from the sun and converts it into electricity or heat that can be harnessed for use. Solar panel technology is likely to change over time. It was first used over one hundred years ago and consisted of specially designed mirrors that directed sunlight into a container of oil in order to heat the oil. The hot oil was then pumped through tubing that went through a larger container of water. The hot oil transferred heat to the water and provided hot water.

The improvement of the understanding of atoms and photons has allowed scientists to develop a photovoltaic method for collecting energy from the sun. Most current solar panels are made with a layer of silicon. Photons from the sun hit a combination of silicon and phosphorus. Because of the structure of the atoms, one of the electrons is forced off and is drawn to the positive charge of a material made with a combination of silicon and boron, which is positively charged. As the flow of electrons continues from the photons from the sun, the movement of electrons continues and electricity flows. Conductive material in the form of wires draws the electrons away from the panels and to the devices meant to use the electricity. Many people on a grid with their electric company will be credited for any overflow of electricity that is produced above and beyond what they need. Find books on solar energy here.