Everything You Need to Know About Solar Panels

From fossil fuels all the way to hydro, all energy begins with the sun. Solar panels harvest power directly from this humongous resource by converting photons from the sun into electricity. Solar panels are able to power a wide range of energy applications. Solar power is able to provide power to a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere and it can keep the lights on in the International Space Station, but we all know that solar is not just for providing remote power needs.

As solar panels have now come down in price, they have gone up in popularity as a competitive energy option for homes and businesses. Besides the fact that you will be saving on costs, solar panels are one of the best ways a consumer can “green out” their energy consumption. The panels can provide extensive environmental benefits, potentially eliminating dependence on carbon-emitting fossil fuels, plus improving air quality.

How do they work?

Photovoltaic cells, on the solar panel, absorb photons from the sun and then convert them into direct current (DC) electricity. The DC current then flows through an inverter which transforms the DC current into AC current in order to power appliances. The AC current then travels via wire into a breaker box which then distributes the power throughout the building. Any unused electricity will flow back into the utility grid or into solar energy storages.

Solar energy for electrical production relies on subatomic particles called photons. These particles start their journey in the centre of the sun, travelling through the various layers before entering space. The journey from the centre of the sun to the outer can take up to 50 million years to complete. Once the photons escape the sun, they take around 8 minutes to reach earth, where they then collide with solar panels and initiate the photovoltaic effect.

A solar panel’s secret formula lies in its ability to convert photons into electrons. In a nutshell, solar panels convert photons into direct current, which is then converted to alternate current for use in homes and businesses. The panels are generally constructed of silicon, a semiconductor that is capable of producing electricity. When sunlight strikes the panel, photons interact with silicon atoms to release electrons in a phenomenon called the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are manufactured with a positive as well as negative silicon sheet, sandwiched together. An upper silicon layer is then infused with phosphorus for a negative charge as well as a boron-infused bottom layer which maintains a positive charge. The resulting field funnels electrons towards the conductive metal and finally out of the panel.

If you are someone who has a bit of capital lying around and would like to save money on electricity in the long run, then investing in off grid solar panels could be the answer! The initial investment can be quite hefty, depending on the size that you require, but after a few years, you will be saving plenty of money by not having to pay for electricity.

For more information, go visit: https://plumsteadelectrical.co.za/product-category/electrical-accessories/solar-panels/