How do Solar Panels Work? Solar technology based in photovoltaic cells has become increasingly more popular as the years have rolled by. Photovoltaics were first used primarily in space dating back in the 1960s. As time went on you could easily find this technology in consumer items like solar calculators that often don’t use any traditional batteries. Eventually panels and shingles came into the consumer marketplace to be used for private energy collection. To understand how the panels themselves work you need to understand photovoltaics. Here is the rundown of a basic system (there are other options to consider).
Your Panels A solar panel consists of two layers, one that is negatively charged and the other just below it that is positively charged. The negative panel contains phosphorus and silicon which combined have room for four more electrons in their atoms, creating a negative charged plate with loose electrons. When photons of light from the sun hit the panel the photons they knock off the extra electrons which are drawn through conductive wires to the positive panel made of silicon and boron with atoms that have an extra space for the rogue electron. The electrons are forced to move a certain direction due to the electric field of the panels. This flow of electrons constitutes current which is directed to a device for use or into batteries for storage.
The Battery Many solar panel systems will store the electricity generated in a chemical battery. These batteries are generally deep-cycle batteries which can generate a low current while sustaining of the life of a battery. Car batteries on the other hand are shallow-current which can discharge a large amount of energy but for a short time. The batteries used are either lead-acid batteries (sealed or vented) and nickel-cadium batteries. There are a variety of batteries you can use that differ primarily in the amount of energy they can store. However, more energy usually comes with a higher price tag.
Controller and Inverter Between your solar panels and battery you have a charge controller which prevents the batteries from being overcharged or drained too much helping to extend the life of your battery. Once the batteries are fully charged the controller will not allow any current from your panels to enter the battery and conversely if your battery is drained to a certain level the controller will not allow any more energy to leave. Batteries can be expensive and your controller ensures the battery will last. The last part of a normal Solar Panel rig is your inverter which will change the direct current generated from your solar rig to usable, alternating current. Some modules called AC modules have a converter already inside of them. Between all of these different parts there is a good amount of wiring. Along with mounting hardware, grounding equipment, and other accessories you have a full solar system. After it is installed the system is very low maintenance and will provide electricity for twenty years or more. There are a variety of different solar panels that you can buy. They range from phonosolar 250 watt panels to 310 watt panels. The greater the wattage generally the higher the price and the higher the efficiency. When installing there are codes that need to be followed and it is highly recommended that you hire a professional experienced in solar PV systems to make sure you are up to code and that none of your equipment is damaged in the installation. Photo Pin: Living Off Grid, Elliot Brown, Julia Manzerova