Solar panels are ubiquitous, serving as a popular method for electricity generation in homes and businesses, leading to significant savings on electric bills. This blog aims to demystify solar energy by delving into its fundamental concepts.
Solar Panels: The Basics
Let’s commence by considering the sun, a colossal nuclear reactor situated 93 million miles away, emitting energy in the form of tiny packets known as photons.
The photons reaching Earth’s surface each hour can generate more electricity in a year than the global consumption. Solar panels efficiently harness this energy.
How Do Solar Panels Convert Sunlight into Electricity?
Solar panels consist of numerous photovoltaic cells (PVs) held together by a metal frame and covered with protective glass. A solar panel is often referred to as a PV module. These solar cells, usually sliced very thin, are composed of silicon or other semiconductors.
Each PV cell comprises a negative and positive layer, with the negative layer having surplus electrons and the positive layer having space for them. To produce electricity, electrons need to move with electricity.
The key lies in the sun. Solar panels function by capitalizing on the photons emitted by the sun daily, a phenomenon known as the [Photovoltaic Effect](https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2018/01/long-history-solar-pv/).
Understanding how solar cells work is just the beginning. Electrons must have a defined path, and the electricity generated must be utilized. How does this occur?
A circuit provides the path for electrons. We aim for electrons to traverse loads, such as lights and appliances, as they move from the negative layer to the positive PV cell.
This post was written by a professional at EHS. Efficient Home Services of St. Petersburg FL is a solar energy company offering a variety of services. At Efficient Home Services of Florida, our mission is to save you money. No other home energy company serving Florida offers the range of cost-saving solutions that we do. Whereas other businesses might focus on one component of a home’s energy use, such as solar panel installation or HVAC unit installation, EHS provides services across the spectrum to address every aspect of your home’s energy inefficiencies. We are a team of knowledgeable professionals who banded together to give homeowners what other companies promised but could not deliver – real relief from high electric bills.
