How Solar Energy Works
How solar energy works sounds like something for the boffins. So I'll try to break it down into simple terms. Photovoltaics, translates as 'photo = light, voltaic = electricity'. This is how we convert the suns energy into electricity. The solar photovoltaic energy (PV) process converts sunlight, the most abundant energy source on the planet directly into electricity. The equipment required for this process - solar panels - have no moving parts and as a result requires minimal maintenance. In addition, the electricity is generated with no emissions and no noise. PV solar panels consist of two or more thin layers of semiconducting material, most commonly silicon. When solar panels are exposed to light, electrical charges are generated. The electric fields within the solar panels flow in a certain direction which is known as a current. Because there is metal contacts on the top and bottom of the solar panels, we can draw that current off to use externally. The electrical output from a single cell is small, therefore multiple cells are connected together to provide a more useful output. Cells connected in this way are encapsulated (usually behind glass) to form a weatherproof module or panel. Multiple modules can likewise be connected together in order to provide sufficient power for common electrical appliances. So there you have it! I hope this article helped you understand the fundamentals of the process. Also, we have an online store in conjunction with Amazon UK and Amazon US, bringing you the highest quality, lowest priced solar products on the market. For our US store click here. For our UK store click here.
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