How Do Solar Panels Work Interactive

How do solar panels work.

How do solar panels work interactive.

Solar panels work by letting photons released by the sun knock electrons free from atoms and thus generate a flow of electricity. Solar panels are a tool that captures solar energy from the sun and converts it into energy that is able to power homes buildings and even electric cars. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. These photovoltaic cells are what coverts the energy captured from the sun into electricity.

How do solar panels work. Ac energy then flows through the home s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly. Solar panels are composed of many smaller photovoltaic cells linked together. To learn more about the possibilities of installing solar for your home talk to our experts.

Launch interactive download printable. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. When you really break them down a solar panel is nothing more than a big sheet of glass over a metal frame with a patch of wiring that runs to your home s main. Every year solar panels are getting more efficient and less expensive to purchase and install.

In the middle are two slices of different types of silicon. Let s get even a little more specific and a little more technical about how solar panels convert solar power into electrical energy. How do solar panels work. The solar panel is made up of tiny units called photovoltaic cells.

In this feature familiarize yourself with the parts of a basic photovoltaic cell and find out how it goes about harnessing the free energy of the sun. The thin wires capture this direct current and direct it to a solar inverter. A photovoltaic cell is an electrical sandwich. Step by step overview.

They re even getting smaller and thinner which means that solar panels are becoming more versatile as well. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity.