How do photovoltaic solar panels operate?

Solar panels consist of several solar cells or photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic cell, the basic unit of solar panels, converts solar energy into electric energy. With the help of solar photovoltaic panels, you can produce your own solar electricity to power your entire home appliances and devices. Solar power is a less expensive way of producing electricity as compared to the electricity provided by utility companies.  There are no burning fuels, moving parts and other harmful side effects of solar power. Instead, it is the most soundless and environmentally friendly way of electricity production.

Before you install solar panels for your home, you must have some knowledge as to how photovoltaic cells work to form electricity. Let’s have a brief discussion about the workings of a solar photovoltaic cell. 

Photovoltaic cells convert photons from the sunlight into voltage (electrical force). A semiconductor material is used to form photovoltaic cells which allows the electric current pass through. Silicon with little addition of boron and phosphorous is used as a semiconductor in solar cells. There are two layers of semiconductor in each solar cell - positive and negative. Small particles of sunlight called photons are absorbed by photovoltaic cells and release electrons. The electrons flow through the photovoltaic cells in the form of electric current producing energy to power your home.

Solar panels convert solar energy into Direct Current (DC), but the electricity we use to power our home is in the form of Alternate Current (AC). Solar panel transfers the DC electricity to an inverter. Inverter is another module of a complete solar panel system which converts the DC electricity generated by photovoltaic cells into the AC electricity.

Solar panels are the only visible and basic component of a solar power system that actually generate electricity from sunlight. There are no moveable machinery or other complicated parts in solar electric system as such there is less maintenance and cleaning required. For optimal results, it is important to install solar panels at the place where they are exposed to maximum sunlight. You must take care of factors that can affect the amount of sunlight reaching the solar panels like panel orientation, shade of different areas, and pitch and panels of your roof. Smith Sustainable Development extending its services to the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey for carrying out pre-installation survey for you to decide the suitable placement for solar panels.

We explained the working of solar panels in simple words without going into the deep procedure and science behind the production of electricity. However, if you are interested to know more details and complications involve in the solar panels we are ready to explain more details.