How Do Solar Panels Turn Sunlight Into Electricity

But at the heart of each system is a simple conversion process.

How do solar panels turn sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic solar panels absorb this energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. The electricity generated flows to the edge of the panel and into a conductive wire. A basic cell is around 1 100th of an inch thick with a wide range of surface areas. The flow of electrons through the wires is what is translated into electricity.

A solar cell is made from two layers of silicon one doped with a tiny amount of added phosphorus n type. This feature originally appeared on the site for the nova program saved by the sun. Inside the solar panel all of those moving electrons are caught and pumped out into the system. Solar powered photovoltaic pv panels convert the sun s rays into electricity by exciting electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun.

Go inside a photovoltaic cell and see how solar panels work to convert sunlight into electricity. Sunlight hits the solar panels and creates an electric field. P for positive the doping ingredients create extra electrons in the n type layer and holes missing electrons in the p type layer. So while your solar panels may have captured solar energy this energy is useless unless it can be put into a useable form.

A typical life span is over 25 years and there are cells in place that have produced electricity reliably for over 40 years. This is the job of your inverter. The conductive wire brings the electricity to the inverter where it is transformed from dc electricity to ac which is used to power buildings. A device that turns this captured energy into useable electricity that can power your home and your devices.

A solar panel is a semi conductor device which will produce an electrical voltage and current if light falls on it. When electrons move back and forth and bounce around through the semi conductor materials their movement converts into energy. Basic steps in solar energy generation and transmission. A photovoltaic cell changes light into electricity.

It is actually a giant diode a one way valve for electricity and when light falls on it this gives some electrons enough energy to jump through the valve and the only way they can get back is to flow around the circuit doing useful work. N for negative the other with a tiny amount of boron p type.