How do solar panels work?

Whether on a solar calculator or an international space station, solar panels create electricity using the same principles of electronics as chemical batteries or standard electrical outlets. For solar panels, this is all about the free flow of electrons through the perimeter.

In order to understand how solar panels generate electricity, it can help quickly go back to the chemistry class in high school. The basic element of solar panels is the same element that helped create a computer revolution - pure silicon. When silicon is deprived of all dirt, it creates an ideal neutral platform for electron transmission. Silicon also has some features at the atomic level, which makes it even more attractive for creating solar panels. This means there is room for four more electrons. If one silicon atom contacts another silicon atom, each receiver of the atom electrons. This creates a strong binding but there is no positive or negative charge because eight electrons meetis the need for atoms. Shrick atoms can be combined for years to result in a large piece of pure silicon. This material is used to create plates of solar panels.

Here is the place where science enters the picture. Two plates of pure silicon would not create electricity in solar panels because they have no positive or negative charges. Solar panels are created by a combination of silicon with other elements that have positive or negative charges.

For example,

phosphorus has five electrons that offer other atoms. If silicon and phosphorus are chemically combined, the result is a stable eight electrons with another free electron for driving. It may leave because it is associated with other phosphorus atoms, but no silicon is needed. Therefore, this new silicon/phosphorus plate is considered negatively charged.

In order for electricity to flow, a positive charge must also be created. This is achievedENO in solar panels by combining silicon with an element such as Boron, which has only three electrons. Silicon/Boron board still has one place for another electron. This means that the board has a positive charge. Both boards are sandwiched together in solar panels, between them running conductive wires.

With both boards on the spot, it is now time to bring the "solar" aspect of solar panels. Natural sunlight sends many different particles of energy, but the one we are most interested in is called a photon. The photon basically acts as a moving hammer. When the negative boards of solar cells are directed to the correct angle to the sun, photons bombard the atoms of silicon/phosphorus.

Finally, there is a 9th electron that wants to be equally free, knocked down a fierce ring. This electron will not be free for a long time, because the positive silicon/boron board attracts it to an open place on its own outer zone. When solar photons break more electrons, electricity is generated. Electricity generated by poisonIt is not very impressive with a solar cell, but when all conductive wires pull free electrons from the boards, there is enough electricity to power low -transparent engines or other electronics. Any electrons are not used or lost by air, are returned to a negative plate and the whole process begins again.

One of the main problems with the use of solar panels is a small amount of electricity that they produce compared to their size. The calculator may require only one solar cell, but the solar car would require several thousand. If the angle of solar panels changes slightly, the efficiency may drop by 50 percent.

Some power supply from solar panels can be stored in chemical batteries, but there is no excessive force in the first place. The same sunlight that provides photons also provides more destructive ultraviolet and infrared waves that eventually cause physically degradation of panels. Panels must also be exposed to destructive weather PFrees that can also seriously affect efficiency.

Many sources also refers to solar panels as photovoltaic cells that refer to the importance of light (photography) when generating electrical voltage. The challenge for future scientists will be to create more efficient solar panels, are small enough for practical applications and strong enough to create excess energy for times when sunlight is not available.