With the cost of solar panels dropping by a significant amount, more people are giving in to the idea of getting solar panels systems installed for their homes, offices, schools or industrial & commercial buildings. With the recent developments in the solar industry and the manufacturing quality of the panels, an increasing number of people are switching to solar as a primary, renewable electric energy source. EBR Energy is one such leading provider and installer of solar electric systems for all types of clients.
It’s amazing how the human mind has formulated a system to use a source of energy, i.e.: the sunlight which is constant and which is not likely to run out anytime soon. So how does a solar electric system really light up your homes, offices or industrial & commercial building?
In this article, we are going to explain how a solar system installed produces electric energy in detail, and how beneficial the panels could be for your pocket if you get them installed by EBR Energy.
How do Photovoltaic Cells work?
A solar system installed by EBR Energy for your home, office, or school consists of solar panels, also known as photovoltaic solar cells (usually manufactured from silicon). These cells absorb energy from the sun and convert it into DC (Direct Current) output. This current can then be used by appliances via charge controllers that work on DC power. Otherwise, an inverter is connected to convert DC to AC (Alternating Current). This AC output then flows through electric wiring systems, giving energy to all the connected appliances.
In simple words, solar panels work by allowing the photons or rays of light to get electrons free from their atoms and generate a charge. When it is connected to an external load, electricity starts flowing.
A single solar panel consists of many smaller photovoltaic cell units. A photovoltaic cell consists of semi-conductor material usually made of silicon, doped with boron for a positive charge or phosphorous for a negative charge. The two oppositely charged silicon layers are sandwiched together to make a photovoltaic cell. This creates an electric field between the silicon layers.
When a sufficient amount of photons (particles of sunlight) strike the solar cell, it creates photon energy that dislodges electrons from their atoms. These electrons then move to the front surface of the cell. When an adequate amount of electrons migrate towards the front, an imbalance of charge is developed between the front and the back of the cell, creating a voltage potential just like in the negative and positive terminals of a battery. When these surfaces are connected with an external load, an electric current starts to flow.
A single photovoltaic cell comes in the standard size of 156 mm by 156 mm, which can produce 1 to 2 watts of electricity, which is insufficient for appliances. Hence, to increase the power output, solar cells are electrically connected through wires into a module. A single solar panel module for homes consists of 60-70 PV cells. A solar panel module for commercial or industrial buildings consists of 72-78 PV cells. However, the length and width of a module largely depend on the type of solar panels. These modules are then connected into arrays to form a generating plant.
Apart from the silicon cells, a solar panel module also has a glass casing that provides protection and durability for the PV cells. A panel also has insulation and protective back sheet to protect it from heat and humidity developed inside the module. Solar panel modules also have an anti-reflective coating to increase the absorption of sunlight, exposing silicon cells to the maximum number of photons.
Advantages of Installing Solar Panels
- Solar panels are a guaranteed electric power source of energy on sunny days.
- After installation, they need little to no maintenance, just periodic cleaning to keep them clean from the dirt.
- They don’t create any noise pollution while producing electric power and take very less space as compared to other renewable energy sources.
- Through net metering, you can earn credit simply by installing a grid-tied or hybrid solar energy system in your home, offices or commercial buildings.
Besides all of this, solar panels allow you to leave a much smaller carbon footprint on Earth because they are environmentally-friendly, and they don’t demand a very specific atmosphere either.
With EBR Energy, get your solar panels installed for your homes, offices and commercial & industrial buildings, and convert them into your personal powerhouse of electricity generation.