As the cost of solar energy has fallen in the last few years alongside big improvements in manufacturing, Guest Posting technical efficiency, and quality, many homeowners across Australia starting to see solar energy as a feasible alternative source of energy that will bring many benefits in their life. As solar energy enters the mainstream energy market very well, now the question is “how solar panels work?
There are mainly four types of technology that are used in solar panels to produce energy
Monocrystalline silicon PV
Polycrystalline silicon PV
Amorphous silicon PV
Hybrid PV
In the solar power system series, there are four types of cells that are used in solar panels. They are made of silicon that has the properties to produce energy from sunlight. This is known as the ‘photovoltaic’ effect that means these solar cells combine and can convert the sunlight into electricity for use. These solar cells are made of silicon layers that have been treated with different chemicals in smaller quantities. This process is known as “doping”.
How do solar panels work at your home?
Solar panels produce energy by absorbing sunlight with the help of photovoltaic cells. In this process, solar panels generate direct current (DC) energy and then convert into usable alternate current (AC) with the help of a solar inverter that is installed with the solar power system. Alternate current energy then transferred to your house’s electrical panels and then you use it as your requirement. Electricity flows through your house, powering the appliances and other electronic items. Excess energy produced by the solar panels goes directly to the electric grid and you will get credits in your bills. But, in the off-grid or hybrid solar power system excess energy goes to the solar batteries for the use when solar panels will not produce energy in the nights.
How solar panels generate electricity?
A solar module or we can say a standard solar panel consists of a layer of silicon cells, metal connecting frames, glass body casing, and lots of connected wires that will help the current to flow from the silicon cells. Silicon is a nonmetal body with a conductive property that helps in absorbing sunlight and converting it to electricity. Whenever sunlight interacts with these silicon cells it causes motion in electrons, which starts the flow of electric current. As I mentioned above this process of generating electricity is known as photovoltaic effect and it simply shows the primary function of the solar panel system.
How solar panels work with grid connections?
After knowing all these things, there is still some confusion about the grid factors in the house. As we know every house has an electrical grid, which is connected to the utility meter that is used for the measure of usage of electricity by the user. Your electricity provider uses it to record your units of usage and supply power on the basis of that you pay the electricity bills. When you install a solar panel system at your roof or on the ground, the solar panels are connected to your utility meter. The energy produced by the solar power system is measured by your utility meter.
The solar panels connected to the power grid are important because when panels will produce excess electricity it will not go waste. Automatically it will feed the power grid and this will save you money that can be seen in the electricity bills.
The second most important thing about the connection of power grid to solar panels is that solar panels produce energy in the sunlight but how can you survive in nights or when sunlight does not show up? At that time you will fulfill your energy requirement from the power grid.
Other important parts of solar panel
Apart from silicon solar cells and other similar technology, solar panels have a glass case that offers more durability and protection to the silicon PV cells. It also has a layer for the insulation and a protective back sheet under the glass, which gives protection from the heat and humidity from the inside of the panel. This insulation is very important for the panel because when the temperature increases it will result in decreasing efficiency that will affect the solar panels and lower the performance and output.
Solar panels have a special anti-reflecting coating on them, which helps in increasing sunlight absorption and allows the solar power system to receive maximum sunlight exposure.