Define: Solar Panels
Solar panels are special devices capable of capturing the light emitted by the sun and convert the absorbed light into the electricity. Solar panels are the most important equipments of the solar power system. Therefore, one should always choose the highest quality of solar panels regardless of the selection of the installation process.
Solar Panels Installation: The Process
Once you have decided to install solar panels at your home or office, gathering relevant information is must. Educate yourself a bit to develop an understanding to choose the best to complete the entire installation process. Gathering information is important as different solar panel brands need to be installed differently. Also, the installation process of solar panels varies with their sizes. Hence, a good understanding is important while installing solar panels.
You can hire a professional installer if you are not able to install the system of your own. Usually, installing the panel without prior experience is not safe as it could be a risky job to do. For example, if you are planning to install the solar panels onto the roof, you should be careful about handling the wires and other equipments used in the process. You may have to climb ladders and do such works, so prepare yourself or take the help of professional installers who holds some experience in the solar panel installation process.
In general, solar panels are installed on a low pitched shingle or metal roof. However, many people prefer installing their panels on a flat roof..
Solar Panel Installation Procedure
Great Trends in Solar Panels and Solar Energy
The worldwide awareness and campaigning on the threat of environmental imbalance and polluted energy resources has made public opinion in favour of safe and clean environment . The corporate and industrial sector is not averse to cause of environmental safety. This is reflected from the new technologies for alternative use of energy resources. Solar energy is fast catching up as a most viable option of alternative energy owing to its non-polluting and inexhaustible nature. Solar panel is a wonder-tool in this concern which is unleashing a silent revolution which is visible in various spectrum and colours.
Retail Houses Up-link With Solar Energy
Now solar energy panels are not a object limited only to the vast farmhouses in the countryside. The great idea of adopting the eco-friendly and economical solar energy has already dawned upon the minds of big corporate houses. This is attested by the view of solar panels spotting the rooftops of retail house buildings. A substantial reduction in the energy needs cost is assured in case of business houses who welcome the solar energy. In addition to cutting down the tax bills , solar power is safe and human-friendly.
Solar Panels in Print Form
Now solar energy panels for harnessing the sunlight are also present in form of print sheets. This has been made possible by the efforts of Konarka Technologies in association with Massachusetts based research team. These panels have been framed on a technology analogous to the inkjet printing technology . Important thing is that these panels can be mounted on any surface or printed directly onto a surface . This innovation is going to make the solar panel a light weight and easy to install tool unlike those bulky and heavy frames of solar panels commonly found.
Solar Energy Powered Mobile Phones
Soon it will be unnecessary to rely on th electrical charging of the cellular phones. The solar panel meant for powering the functioning of the mobile phone is built on the straps attached to the mobile phones. Such type of technology is at present initiated by Strap ya company with brand name Solar Charge EC.
Solar Panels to Power Space Vehicles
the latest state of the art technology research has made it reality to visualize the space travel without depending upon propellant fuel as energy source. The special purpose solar panels in this case are based on silicon fusion linked amorphous material. An alteration in the existing norm of propellant based spacecraft engine is mandatory along with the compliance with solar panel system. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), New York reportedly have entered into a contract with United Solar Ovonic in this concern. Once completed the project will be a great step in direction of clean and cost-effective space travel for astronomical purposes and airships.
Solar Panels on Fabrics
It is very interesting of thinking clothes enabled with solar panels for using up the sunlight around. With the concerted research work of Japanese scientists this is no less than a reality. The solar panel laden fabrics are based on extremely thin solar cell panel and render the properties like easily molding and colorfulness with equal aesthetic appeal as normal cloth.
Home Solar Energy Systems and the Photoelectric Effect (part 9)
In the article that follows, we will explain in how a residential solar (PV) cell converts photons of sunlight into household electrical currents. This process is called the photoelectric effect. We will also explain the physical characteristics of how silicon moves electrons through various states to produce household solar electric power.
Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the photoelectric effect, not for his work on relativity. Little did one know that the same people who helped us calculate everything under the sun is also the same person helping to bring renewable solar energy to the masses.
Solar Electricity and the Photoelectric Effect
The photoelectric effect is a key concept, since it is the way sunlight is converted into free electrons as light interacts with the solar cell. Without the creative work of Albert Einstein, the physical characteristics of sunlight might not be known. Never mind the impact and Earth-altering opportunities to power your home using solar generated electricity that his ideas inspired all these years later.
Think of sunlight not as a wave but as a beam of photon particles for the purposes of explain the technical details of how home solar energy systems work. These bundles of energy penetrate the silicon lattice structure inside the solar cells making up a home solar panel and transfer their energy to an electron in the outer layer of the silicon atom.
When a single electron gains enough energy from the penetrating photons, it breaks free and floats around the lattice structure, no longer bonded. An electron has a negative charge when it is knocked free during the photoelectric effect. The silicon atom that loses the electron, which had a neutral charge with the electron, now has a positive charge without it. Remember back to high school chemistry. Suddenly, these classes seem relevant when learning about solar generated electricity. Who would have known?
When an electron is removed from this lattice structure or matrix in this fashion, it creates a hole in the outer layer of the lattice where the electron was. A nearby electron with a negative charge soon fills the hole. The electron that moves in has a positive charge. It can be described like the balancing of an equation; i.e. when one silicon electron consisting of a negative charge is transferred in...another particle, in this case an electron with a positive charge, is bumped out and moves out.
As photons of sunlight penetrate the silicon and knock electrons loose they transfer their energy. Negative electrons are forced to move into nearby holes and positive holes appear where electrons once were. This photoelectric effect works because of the one-directional flow of positive and negative electrons. This flow of electrons produces the electrical current used in everyday use. The one way or single direction that the silicon electrons is produced when the sunlight, which is really photons of energy, repeatedly hit the silicon solar cells inside the PV panels making up the home solar power unit.
Incredibly enough, this process is the secret sauce that allows electricity to be produced from ordinary sunlight. It is Albert Einstein's discovery, called the photoelectric effect, that makes solar electric energy possible. The average homeowner can now buy or rental home solar energy systems and generate useful electricity for their house.
