How do Solar Panels Work?
Date:01/27/2024
Subject: How do Solar Panels Work?
Assessment:
The Simple answer, given by the National Grid, is that “Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into power. There are two forms of energy generated from the sun for our use – electricity and heat. Both are generated through the use of solar panels, which range in size from residential rooftops to ‘solar farms’ stretching over acres of rural land.”
In the next week, I will be investing my time heavily into learning about solar energy so I can learn more from my solar consultant mentor, Mrs Natalia Carter. The most obvious reason for using solar energy is because solar panels are pretty much an “infinite” source of energy. Also, the National Grid also highlights how “The carbon footprint of solar panels is already quite small, as they last for over 25 years. Plus, the materials used in the panels are increasingly recycled, so the carbon footprint will continue to shrink.” This is a really important point because not only does it last longer than most electronics, 25 years, but they are being recycled as well which means soon they will have little to no effect on the environment.
One point that the Solar Energy Technologies Office highlights is that “The amount of sunlight that strikes the earth's surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world's energy consumption for a full year.” Showing the true potential of solar energy.
However, the most important solar panels are the Photovoltaic ones, PV. The SETO describes it as “When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.”.The Energy of the light is consumed by the semiconductors: When the semiconductor is exposed to light, it absorbs the light's energy and transfers it to negatively charged and positively charged particles, both electrons and their opposite flow are consumed by both the N-type and P-type layers. The Terminals then take the electricity and with both the positive and negative, a flow is created.
Why solar panels are becoming more viable: As we enter this new age of solar panels, the prices are dropping radically. Because of the increased production and more factories solely focused on creating these solar panels, soon solar panels should be worth purchasing for houses all over the world. Research is also being invested into better solar panels, panels like the one above are very simple, Solar panels like Tesla panels are much more efficient and more expensive because they are a lot more expensive. As more research is done and more panels move to increased complexity and efficiency, soon panels will be able to power most of the world. As this development continues, I hope to be working with Mrs. Carter so that I am prepared to be in the know and take advantage of the growth coming from the solar panel world.
“How Does Solar Work?” Energy.Gov, www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
“Hello Sunshine: The Future of Solar Power.” Solar Energy Explained | National Grid Group, www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/how-does-solar-power-work#:~:text=Solar%20panels%20are%20usually%20made,and%20produces%20an%20electric%20charge. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.