How Do Solar Panels Convert Into Electricity

Inverters cost around 0 70 per watt or around 2 600 for a typical application.

How do solar panels convert into electricity.

In 2015 around half a million solar panels were installed daily around the world. Andrew stapleton explains how those flat bluish surfaces convert the sun s rays to electrical power. Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity many cells linked together make up a solar panel. 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.

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 convert solar energy into dc electricity usually of 12v which is further utilized for the rest of the circuit. How do solar panels work to generate electricity. The job of solar panels is to essentially create the electrical current.

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. This power inverter converts the solar energy into energy that is consumable at home. From a reliability standpoint they are generally the weak link.

The number of cells required and their size depend on the load rating. 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. Fortunately you don t have to be a rocket scientist to understand the process of converting solar energy into electricity. 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. A standard solar panel also known as a solar module consists of a layer of silicon cells a metal frame a glass casing and various wiring to allow current to flow from the silicon cells silicon atomic 14 on the periodic table is a nonmetal with conductive properties that allow it to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity.