| You may be aware of solar panels and how they | | | | photons that hit their surface, and if the photon |
| are able to provide a free, renewable energy, | | | | was able to charge the electron enough, the |
| electricity or heating source right on your | | | | electron will then become a conduction electron, |
| doorstep, yet you may not be entirely sure of | | | | which allows it to carry an electric charge. The |
| how the actual technology works. | | | | electrons in the silicon cells require around 1.1 to |
| We shall now cover the basics of what a solar | | | | 1.3 electron volts, to be transformed into a |
| panel needs to work and how the electricity is | | | | conduction electron. Around 70% of the suns |
| generated through the photovoltaic cells. | | | | rays contain this or a greater amount of energy, |
| The principle of a solar panel is that it collects | | | | and so, solar panels are a very common choice |
| solar radiation (from the sun) and converts this | | | | for anyone who wishes to generate natural |
| solar energy into electricity, the more powerful | | | | energy. |
| the sunlight, the greater output (in watts) you will | | | | The two main disadvantages with solar |
| receive (up to the solar cells maximum capacity.) | | | | technologies are; the silicon cells degrade greatly |
| Solar panels are positioned to face the direction of | | | | with time, and the electrons that do not receive |
| the sun, this allows photons (contained in the suns | | | | enough energy to be converted into conduction |
| rays) to strike the solar panel in an efficient | | | | electrons make the cell less efficient. This drop in |
| manor. Solar cells are usually made of silicon, but | | | | efficiency is largely to do with the fact that the |
| most semi-conducter material is suitable for this | | | | electrons that are not converted into conduction |
| purpose. | | | | electrons, simply give off heat, which affects |
| The electrons in the silicon cells absorb the | | | | other parts of the solar panel. |