Science Of How Solar Panels Work

Researchers soon discovered that this property called the photoelectric effect could be harnessed.

Science of how solar panels work. Solar panels generate electricity when photons knock electrons off from the material. In 1839 henri becquerel noted that silver and platinum electrodes. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units.

Solar pv panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. Step by step overview. Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells generating direct current dc energy and then converting it to usable alternating current ac energy with the help of inverter technology.

In fact a solar panel is comprised of an array of smaller units called photovoltaic cells which are the. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. These cells are made of semi conductive materials most often silicon a material that can conduct electricity while maintaining the electrical imbalance needed to create an electric field.