A solar panel is basically a device that enables the collection of and conversion of solar energy into electrical energy or even heat. More and more homeowners are wanting to become indepent of the grid and starting to implement a homemade solar panel. You can as well but proceed with caution. Electricity is dangerous. If you make the decision to support this trend, make sure your read our review about which homemade solar panel do-it-yourself kits are safe and tested.
The Concept of Solar Panels
Solar panels are also known as photovoltaic panels and the atoms that are present in these panels are excited by the action of the sun's energy. There are two panels called protector panels. These atoms reside within two layers of protector panels.
A myriad of external devices make use of the electric current produced by the action of excited atoms from the aforementioned. The history of solar panels dates back by hundreds of years, when their sole purpose was to heat the water for use in homes. Many-a-times specially shaped mirror is used for the concentration of light onto a tube of oil. Because of this process, there is an increase in temperature of the oil. As the oil moves through the container of water, it is immediately turned into a boiling state. The steam that is a resultant of this process of boiling is used to turn a turbine for the generation of electricity.
The History of Solar Panels
It was in the year 1839 that the photovoltaic effect was discovered by Antoine – Cesar – Becquerel, a French physicist. His experiment in this regard involved the placement of an electrolyte cell in an electrolyte solution; two metal electrodes made up the electrolyte cell.
When this device was exposed to sunlight, Becquerel found that the generation of electricity saw a marked increase. In 1883, Charles Fritts took selenium sheets and coated them with a thin layer of gold. This became the first real solar cell. Experiments were conducted on solar cells and over time and discoveries were made as a result. Albert Einstein also published his thesis on the photoelectric effect, during this time and also won the Nobel Prize for his research.
It was space satellites that made large scale use of solar electrical energy for the first time. By 1980, the United States of America, produced a solar cell which provided an efficiency of nearly twenty percent, this efficiency was increased to around twenty four percent in the next two decades and currently there are a few companies that are manufacturing solar cells that offer efficiency levels of nearly twenty eight percent
The Working of Solar Panels
Pure silicon forms the basic element of all solar panels as its makes for an ideal platform that aids transmission of electrons. This material is used on the plates that form a solar panel. It is also possible to create solar panels by merging silicon panels with other elements with either negative or positive charges.
Photons bombard the silicon atoms when negative plates of photovoltaic cells are angled towards the sun. After all the free electrons are drawn away from the plates, enough electricity is produced to power small appliances.
Features and Types of Solar Panels
Basically there are three types of solar panels, namely mono-crystalline solar panels, polycrystalline solar panels, and amorphous solar panels. The average life expectancy for a solar panel is around 20 years but it can vary depending on the type of solar panel you select.
Because solar panels don't need the ongoing maintenance for their preservation, but if lead acid batteries are used, then they need to be inspected every six months and filled with distilled water if necessary. If you are considering installing a solar panel for your energy needs but aren't sure of what size to get, the most accurate way to judge what you will need is to calculate your average daily energy consumption. This would give you a fair idea of what kind of solar panel to go for. Over time, solar electricity produced by solar panels will lower your energy bill by a landslide, and therefore the option of implementing solar electricity for your home must be explored.
~Ralph Somers,
Moderator of Ralph's Green Energy Guide
