How Do Solar Panels Convert Into Electricity

Fortunately you don t have to be a rocket scientist to understand the process of converting solar energy into electricity.

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. 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. 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.

Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity many cells linked together make up a solar panel. Solar panel efficiency is a measurement of how much of the sun s energy a certain panel can convert into usable electricity. Here s how solar panels harvest light converting it into electricity. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units called photovoltaic cells.

Solar panels convert solar energy into dc electricity usually of 12v which is further utilized for the rest of the circuit. This power inverter converts the solar energy into energy that is consumable at home. The job of solar panels is to essentially create the electrical current. 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.

Solar panels use a curious bit of science called the photovoltaic effect to convert one form of energy into another. Solar panels can come in all shapes and sizes but. From a reliability standpoint they are generally the weak link. 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.

Inverters cost around 0 70 per watt or around 2 600 for a typical application. The number of cells required and their size depend on the load rating.