Easy to understand explanation of how solar panels work

Solar energy is becoming more and more attention these days. Its time to answer the question: how are they really? It is unclear how a group can convert sunlight into electricity without moving parts. This article explains the process in terms that we hope everyone can understand.

The most basic definition of how solar panels work is that the sun hits a certain material, it excites electrons and creates a current and voltage that can be used to power the devices. Now let's explore a little more.

Silicon: Not Just for Computer Chips

First, silicon is taken from the earth. Silicon is one of earth's most abundant elements. It lies in the sand and rocks of all types. You've probably heard of the "Silicon Valley", home to the technology research and investment in California. It is so called because the silicon used in computer chips.

Silicon is a semiconductor. Think of the copper conductor, copper and son. Think of the rubber insulation, such as coating on a copper wire. Silicon is somewhere between the two and is called a semiconductor. This property is used in computer chips and solar panels to manage the reactions that produce tiny electrical currents. An electric current is essentially a "flow". Photo of a thread a small tube current and the speed at which "water" (in this case, electricity) flows through the pipes.

Just Add boron and phosphorus

But the silicon itself is not sufficient to establish the power of the sun. Silicon is produced in a very fine as crystal wafer using pressure and heat. It is then coated with two different materials: boron and phosphorus. Boron is coated on one side, phosphorus, the other with a gap between the two layers. Boron, when combined with silicon, is a positive step, but he wants to be neutral. The only way neutral, it can do is gain an electron, which has a negative charge.

Now enter phosphorus. Phosphorus and silicon material is negatively charged, which means it has extra electrons. But he also wants to be neutral! And how can he do? Get rid of electrons, of course! And how will he get rid of them? This is where the good old Sunday in.

Here Comes The Sun

When the sun hits the cell, the electron is excited. Just think of the electron as a child in the arms of his mother to approach the park. It simply can not wait to get out of the mother and the swing. The electrons leave the phosphorus and boron is positive, creating an electrical discharge under pressure as they fall into the ditch. This pressure must be released, and through the wiring of the cell. This creates the flow, or ongoing, we spoke earlier.

The cells are treated with materials to ensure the solar radiation is absorbed and does not take into account. The silicon wafers are wired together and inserted into the glass and aluminum to avoid weather damage. These are the panels and are then wired together to form a table. And that is the cornerstone of the reaction of a solar panel!

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