How Solar Panel Photovoltaic Systems Work

Photo voltaic cells use sunlight as a source of energy and generate direct current electricity a collection of pv modules is called a pv panel and a system of panels is an array.

How solar panel photovoltaic systems work.

A pv module is an assembly of photo voltaic cells mounted in a framework for installation. The term solar panel is used colloquially for a photo voltaic pv module. A module is a group of cells connected electrically and packaged into a frame more commonly known as a solar panel which can then be grouped into larger solar. A standard solar panel also known as a solar module consists of a layer of silicon cells a metal frame a glass casing and various wiring to allow current to flow from the silicon cells silicon atomic 14 on the periodic table is a nonmetal with conductive properties that allow it to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity.

Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units called photovoltaic cells. The solar cells that you see on calculators and satellites are also called photovoltaic pv cells which as the name implies photo meaning light and voltaic meaning electricity convert sunlight directly into electricity. The current produced is directly dependent on how much light strikes the module. Solar photovoltaic pv panels are based on a high tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity.

How do solar panels work to generate electricity. It s an idea that has been around for well over a century. A number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a support structure or frame is called a photovoltaic module. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage such as a common 12 volts system.

The solar photovoltaic cells in your solar panels are the mechanisms which convert sunlight into energy.