How Do Solar Panels Convert Into Electricity

Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity many cells linked together make up a solar panel.

How do solar panels convert into electricity. Here s how solar panels harvest light converting it into electricity. Andrew stapleton explains how those flat bluish surfaces convert the sun s rays to electrical power. In your solar power system you need inverters to take the low voltage high current signals from the pv panels and convert them into 120vac or 240vac which is directly compatible with grid power. From a reliability standpoint they are generally the weak link.

Connect the solar panels either directly to a power inverter and then connect it to the home grid or connect the inverter to the battery and then to the home power grid. The number of cells required and their size depend on the load rating. Even though communities are flocking toward solar energy and more people than ever are installing solar panels on their homes many are in the dark about the technology that makes it possible. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units called photovoltaic cells.

This is done by capturing the electrical current generated when sunshine interacts with the solar cells in the panel and is transferred through the wiring and busbars to be converted into ac alternating current energy. Solar panels can come in all shapes and sizes but. Solar panel efficiency is a measurement of how much of the sun s energy a certain panel can convert into usable electricity. Solar panels use a curious bit of science called the photovoltaic effect to convert one form of energy into another.

Solar panels convert solar energy into dc electricity usually of 12v which is further utilized for the rest of the circuit. The job of solar panels is to essentially create the electrical current. Inverters cost around 0 70 per watt or around 2 600 for a typical application. Fortunately you don t have to be a rocket scientist to understand the process of converting solar energy into electricity.

Solar panels are also considered the life blood of a solar power system because solar panels actually capture the sun s radiation thereby initiating the entire process of converting sunlight into an electrical current. In 2015 around half a million solar panels were installed daily around the world.