How Does Solar Panels Produce Energy

How does a solar panel generate power.

How does solar panels produce energy. Solar panels work by allowing particles of light called photons to knock electrons from their atomic orbitals. When this occurs a flow of electricity is generated and this electricity is harnessed and preserved as electrical energy. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays. Solar panels are made up of small photovoltaic cells connected together and made out of semiconducting materials.

During this process electrons separate from the atoms and move around the solar cell. When the photons hit the panel they are absorbed by the panel s semiconducting silicon material. Making the panel larger to capture more sunlight. Wattage is calculated by multiplying volts x amps where volts represents the amount of force of the electricity and amperes amps refers to the aggregate amount of energy used.

Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. Solar panel wattage represents a solar panel s theoretical power production under ideal sunlight and temperature conditions. This all happens as light hits a unit called a photovoltaic cell. Solar panels use the photons produced by sunlight to generate direct current dc electricity.

When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. Assuming that sunshine does not change there are two main ways to increase the amount of energy a solar panel produces.