Science Of How Solar Panels Work

Step by step overview.

Science of how solar panels work.

In 1839 henri becquerel noted that silver and platinum electrodes. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. Solar pv panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity. Solar panels generate electricity when photons knock electrons off from the material.

In fact a solar panel is comprised of an array of smaller units called photovoltaic cells which are the. In 1839 french scientist edmond becquerel discovered that certain materials would give off sparks of electricity when struck with sunlight. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity. Solar panels generate electrical current by exploiting a phenomenon first described more than a century ago by a french physicist.

Researchers soon discovered that this property called the photoelectric effect could be harnessed. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. These cells are made of semi conductive materials most often silicon a material that can conduct electricity while maintaining the electrical imbalance needed to create an electric field. The first photovoltaic pv cells made of selenium were.