How Do Photovoltaic Solar Panels Work

Each solar panel contains photovoltaic pv cells.

How do photovoltaic solar panels work. Solar photovoltaic also known as solar pv systems convert energy from the sun into electricity. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the semiconductor. Photovoltaic cells through the photovoltaic effect absorb sunlight and generate flowing 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.

Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon which is currently used most commonly. When sunlight hits the solar panel pv cells produce direct current dc electricity. Today s most common pv devices use a single junction or interface to create an electric field within a semiconductor such as a pv cell. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity.

See the explanation from nasa. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. The solar photovoltaic cells in your solar panels are the mechanisms which convert sunlight into energy.

It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Hey want to know the science behind this in more detail. You can save money by harvesting this free energy. Pv cells take light or photons and convert it to solar electricity.

This process varies depending on the type of solar technology but there are a few steps common across all solar photovoltaic cells. They can be connected in both series and parallel electrical arrangements to produce any required voltage and current combination. Basically when light strikes the cell a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material. When you install solar panels on your house the pv cells convert sunlight into direct current dc and an inverter connected to the system is what converts direct current into alternating current ac which is the type of current needed to power your household appliances.

Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. Solar pv systems can be relatively simple with their main components being solar panels or modules.