How Solar Panels Produce Electricity

Electricity generation solar radiation may be converted directly into electricity by solar cells photovoltaic cells.

How solar panels produce electricity.

To produce the maximum amount of power per square foot a solar panel has to be well designed to handle temperature spectrum angle and amount of light. When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. Inside each solar panel is a conductive metal plate connected to wires that lead to a fused array combiner. When this occurs a flow of electricity is generated and this electricity is harnessed and preserved as electrical energy.

Some people associate solar power with heat because heat is associated with lots of sunlight but if there s too much heat your solar panels may not work as effectively. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays. Solar panels work by allowing particles of light called photons to knock electrons from their atomic orbitals. Energy from the array is sent through an inverter which transforms the initial direct electrical current into the alternating electrical current required to power human made structures.

This all happens as light hits a unit called a photovoltaic cell. Eventually fossil fuels a non renewable energy source will be depleted and the world will have to turn toward renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to produce electricity according to the united states department of energy. Solar panel output is expressed in units of watts w and represents the panel s theoretical power production under ideal sunlight and temperature conditions.

Unlike fossil fuels solar energy is an infinitely renewable energy source.