When you get interested in solar panels. Moreover, when you curious on how they generate electricity. First you read about pros and cons. Then you check out the possibility to install them on your rooftop. After that you realize you have no idea how they actually work. Well, we are here to help you out.
In this article, we will explain the whole process starting from solar panels catching sunlight to it being converted into electricity. Also just in case, if you are curious about how solar panels are actually made. And what additional elements they have, keep reading to the very end.
Types of solar cells
Solar panels consist of multiple solar cells that are made of silicon. This material is a semiconductor. In this case, it helps to generate electricity.
There are two types of silicon solar cells – monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline cells are called this way because they are made of a single crystal of silicon. While polycrystalline ones have pieces of silicon inside. Mono cells have higher performance than poly cells. Because electrons in them have more room to move around.
The photovoltaic effect
The process when a silicon cell interacts with sunlight. And then allows electrons in it to move. Thus creating a flow of electric current is called the photovoltaic effect. It was first discovered in 1839 by a French physicist Edmond Becquerel in the age of 19. Because of this discovery the photovoltaic effect is also known as the Becquerel effect.
So, when electrons in photovoltaic solar cells move, they generate direct current electricity. Direct current (DC) electricity is a type of electricity when electrons move in one direction within a circuit. There is also alternating current (AC) electricity when electrons move in various directions. Our home devices are powered by AC electricity.
Why do we need inverters?
So to convert DC electricity into AC there is an inverter in solar energy systems. Inverters are real brains of the solar energy systems. They not only convert DC electricity into AC electricity. They also function as ground fault protectors and track the statistics of the system. At the beginning of solar energy systems central inverters were doing the inverting job. However, a bit later micro-inverters were introduced. And it is one of the biggest change in the industry. The thing is micro-inverters are assigned to every individual solar panel instead of being assigned to the entire installation. This way even if one panel experiences any issues, the other ones still work. Because micro-inverters in them work properly inverting energy.
Too much power – what to do?
While all the above makes sense even to people who are not associated with physics. Still there is a question what to do with the generated electricity if it can’t be used at the moment. Or if it was generated too much of it. When a house is connected to the grid, it will have a device called a utility meter that is used to supply and measure electricity. It goes to the house from the grid. Using the same utility meter, the surplus energy can be sent to the grid. So a homeowner will get some credits for that overproduced electricity. Then later (for example, at night) those credits can be used to get electricity back from the grid. In this way, basically, there are no losses during the process.
What else is inside solar panels
Let’s dig deeper into solar panels to find out what else is there together with silicon solar cells. So on the top of silicon solar cells there is a glass cover that protects the cells from any possible damage. Under the glass, there is an insulation layer and a protection sheet. They prevent the heat from dissipation. These two are extremely important for the performance of solar panels. While overheating or any minor damage can substantially decrease productivity of the solar system.
If you want know more about solar panels, just get in touch with our SolarBand Team.