Solar Panel Function

The solar panel with the highest watt is the sunpower e series a commercial solar panel line.

Solar panel function. A pv module is an assembly of photo voltaic cells mounted in a framework for installation. The top panel in the e series comes out at a whopping 435 watts. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. Photo voltaic cells use sunlight as a source of energy and generate direct current electricity a collection of pv modules is called a pv panel and a system of panels is an array.

First sunlight hits a solar panel on the roof. Many solar panel manufacturers produce both. To understand the function of solar panels it s important to understand the how the. If one solar panel has an issue the rest of the solar array still performs efficiently.

The energy from the sun is absorbed by these solar cells. How does a solar panel system work. The term solar panel is used colloquially for a photo voltaic pv module. The function of solar panels occurs because of the components of what makes up a solar power system.

Most solar cells are a few square centimetres in area and protected from the environment by a thin coating of glass or transparent plastic. An inverter s basic function is to invert the direct current dc output into alternating current ac. Because a typical 10 cm 10 cm 4 inch 4 inch solar cell generates only about two watts of electrical power 15 to 20 percent of the energy of light incident on their surface cells are usually combined. Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels serve the same function in the overall solar pv system.

They capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. They are also both made from silicon which is used for solar panels because it is an abundant very durable element. It is made up of the solar panels inverters batteries and a charge controller. When just looking at residential solar panels the top wattage panel available is the sunpower a series ac module the top panel in the a series line boasts a wattage of 425 watts.

How do solar panels work to generate electricity. A solar power panel is able to function using the solar energy which is derived from the sun. A standard solar panel also known as a solar module consists of a layer of silicon cells a metal frame a glass casing and various wiring to allow current to flow from the silicon cells silicon atomic 14 on the periodic table is a nonmetal with conductive properties that allow it to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity. Inverters play a crucial role in any solar energy system and are often considered to be the brains of a project whether it s a 2 kw residential system or a 5 mw utility power plant.

Here s an example of how a home solar energy installation works. Every solar power panel contains many different silicon cells or solar cells. The panels convert the energy to dc current which flows to an inverter. The basis for every solar panel system is the solar or photovoltaic cell.

Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units.