Maximizing the Benefits of a Solar Panel
The solar energy industry continues to grow as it reduces the need for traditional fossil fuel-based power. However, it is not without its limits, such as the limited availability of raw materials required to manufacture the technology and the release of harmful greenhouse gasses during production.
PV cells absorb sunlight to produce electricity, which is then converted to alternating current by the inverter. The result is clean, renewable energy for homes that can offset utility bills and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
What is a solar panel?
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that can power your home or business. This renewable energy source helps you shrink your carbon footprint and save money on your electricity bills, especially when paired with a battery storage system that lets you store excess solar power for use during cloudy days or during power outages caused by weather or grid failures.
Solar panel technology has been around for a long time, starting in 1883 when New York inventor Charles Fritts coated selenium with gold to create the first photovoltaic cell. This early device was SOLAR PANEL able to produce only 1 to 2 percent of its maximum potential, but it marked an important step forward in converting solar energy into electrical current.
Today, solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that are sandwiched between layers of silicon and other materials such as gallium or boron. The efficiency and power capacity of a solar panel largely depends on its type. Polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels are the most common types.
The backs of a solar panel are typically a sturdy, durable material such as glass or aluminum to protect the solar cells within. The fronts are often transparent to allow for greater sunlight absorption. Finally, a frame is installed to connect to mounting clamps that will attach the solar panels to your roof.
Photovoltaic (PV) Cells
When sunlight hits a PV cell, it can either reflect off or pass through the material, or it can be absorbed. Only the absorbing photons can provide solar energy, which causes electrons to be knocked loose from the semiconductor material’s atoms and flow together into an electric current. The more light energy absorbed, the greater the voltage and current generated.
A solar cell contains two layers of oppositely charged semiconductor material – a layer of p-type silicon (silicon plus boron or gallium) and a layer of n-type silicon (silicon plus phosphorus). Joining the p-type and n-type silicon layers creates an electric field that separates electrons and holes. The electrons move from the p-type side of the junction to the n-type side, creating a flow of electricity. The flow of electrons is guided to metal contacts on the surface of the cell, where it can be connected in an electrical circuit to power a device or charge a battery.
Many different types of PV cells exist, depending on their performance and manufacturing costs. For example, crystalline silicon PV cells are efficient and widely used, but they can be expensive. Thin-film, organic and other PV technologies can be less expensive but may not be as efficient. Multi-junction solar cells that use different semiconductor materials have been developed to reach higher efficiency levels.
Modules
A solar module is a group of PV cells encapsulated in a protective and weatherproof material to form a mountable unit. It contains a front surface that faces the sun and a back surface with electrical contacts that connect to the included solar cells. It can be used for a wide variety of applications from powering remote cabins to providing electricity for residential or commercial solar electric systems.
The PV module converts sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. This DC electricity is then fed into an inverter to sunpower solar panels transform it into usable AC (alternating current) electricity that can be used in appliances, pumps and lighting systems.
Solar modules come in many different configurations ranging from monocrystalline to polycrystalline silicon to thin film (amorphous) technology. These solar panel types differ in their efficiency and the amount of power they generate.
Modules are designed and tested to withstand natural environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, corrosion, snow load, horizon and near-shadow effects and lightning. They are typically tested at different points in the life cycle of the module such as: the conceptual phase, manufacturing phase, transportation and installation phase and commissioning phase. They are also tested to ensure their ability to produce the expected output through computer simulation and quality assurance testing. Testing can include power output, current and voltage measurements, environmental tests, quality inspections, non-destructive testing and more.
Mounting
Solar panels provide clean, affordable energy for homes, businesses and schools looking to reduce their carbon footprint and dependency on fossil fuels. But maximizing the benefits of solar power relies on more than just technological advancements; careful planning and execution are necessary to ensure the panels can capture sunlight effectively.
To start, choose a suitable location for your solar panels. Then, select a mount type. Roof mounts are most common because they attach directly to your rooftop, but ground and pole mounts are also available. Once you’ve selected a mount type, make sure the area is clean and free of debris. Then, follow the specific instructions manual for your racking equipment to secure the solar panels.
The type of mount you use determines the optimal solar panel orientation – or tilt angle – which should be adjusted based on your location and production goals. A tracking system can further optimize the production of electricity, by moving your panels to track the sun’s path from sunrise to sunset.
There are several different materials from which to build your solar mounting frame, including stainless steel, aluminium and angle iron. Stainless steel is expensive but can last decades, while aluminium is easy to work with and resists corrosion. Angle iron, on the other hand, corrodes faster, but is inexpensive and easy to weld.