What are Solar Panels? How Does it Work? What Does It Do?

 Solar Panels

What is solar panels that allow to convert solar energy, which is a renewable resource, into electrical energy? How does it work? What does it do? Keep scrolling to find answers to questions like:

What is Solar Panel?

A solar panel (or Solar Panel) is an energy source that contains many solar cells that absorb solar energy. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. The amount of energy of sunlight falling on the earth is 10 thousand times the amount of energy in the world that we use in our daily life. Therefore, it is sufficient for human beings to efficiently use only 0.01 of the sun's rays coming to the world to meet their energy needs.

The solar panel consists of solar cells that absorb the sunlight falling on it. The efficiency of a solar panel is determined by the rate at which the cell in which it is used converts sunlight into electricity.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

A solar panel; It roughly consists of silicon cells, metal frame, glass enclosure unit and linear current and alternating current cables used to transfer the electrical current generated through the panel. Silicon is a nonmetal with conductive properties that absorbs sunlight and converts it into usable electricity. When light hits a silicon cell, it causes the electrons on the silicon cells to be activated, initiating the flow of electric current. This is known as the “photovoltaic (PV) effect”. It defines the overall functionality of solar panel technology.

We can actually think of our sun as a natural nuclear reactor. In this framework, small energy packets called photons travel 150+ million km from the sun to the earth in about 8.5 minutes.

The energy packages that reach the earth as a result of this short trip contain enough energy to our planet for a year, even theoretically, in just one hour. Therefore, we should all prioritize solar energy, which has a huge potential, so that we can reduce carbon emissions and switch to sustainable energy production.

Using silicon-based solar cells, we can convert sunlight directly into electricity. Every day, light hits solar panels with photons (particles of sunlight). The solar panel converts these photons into direct current (“DC”) electrons. Electrons flow from the solar panel and into an inverter and other electrical safety devices. The inverter is used to convert “DC” power to alternating current or “AC” power. AC power is the type of electricity that televisions, computers, and toasters use when plugged into a wall outlet.

 

What Do Solar Panels Do?

Solar panels can use heat and light from the sun. By converting it to electrical energy, it ensures the operation of all devices used in homes and workplaces. The cells on the solar energy panels absorb the sun's rays and create direct current.

According to the usage area and the amount of energy desired to be obtained the panels are connected to each other in series or parallel and convert the direct current into electrical energy.

 

Types of Solar Power Plants

Solar Power Plants are basically of two types: photovoltaic system and thermal system. In the photovoltaic system, the radiation from the sun is converted into electrical energy by means of panels. The obtained DC electricity is converted into AC electricity suitable for the network frequency with the inverter device and made suitable for use.

In thermal systems, the sun's rays are transmitted to a certain point by means of special mirrors, the oil or water at this point is heated, and mechanical energy is converted into kinetic energy by means of steam pressure with the heated liquid, as in thermal systems.

 

How Do Solar Panels Generate Electricity?

Basically, the solar panel system uses photons to separate electrons from atoms. It generates electricity by stripping electrons from their atoms. Solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells made of silicon that convert the rays from the sun into electricity. Direct current begins to form in these solar cells, which are located on the panels, thanks to the sun's rays. A serial or parallel mechanism can be established by measuring the amount of energy obtained according to the region where it is located or the season in which it is used. Connects to homes or workplaces.

The flow of solar panels for electricity production can be summarized with 5 items;

1. Photovoltaic solar panels absorb sunlight - Each solar panel contains photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells take light (photons) and convert it into electricity. As soon as sunlight hits the solar panel, the PV cells start working and produce direct current (DC) electricity.
2. DC electricity cannot power itself. It is transmitted to inverters with other solar equipment.
3. When the sun's rays interact with the silicon cell, the electrons begin to move.
4. The transport of electrons is captured by the nodes and initiates the flow of electric current in the wires in the panel.
5. Solar cables transmit direct current (DC) electricity to a solar inverter to be converted into alternating current (AC) electricity.

What are the Solar Panel Types?

Solar panels can be classified according to two different cell types. These are polycrystalline solar cell solar panels and monocrystalline solar cell solar panels. Today, polycrystalline cell solar panels are widely produced.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Does not require crucible pulling. Therefore, polycrystalline panels are more cost-effective than monocrystalline solar panels. In polycrystalline solar panels, silicon is melted in its raw state and turned into square cells. Thus, the production cost of the solar panel with polycrystalline solar cell structure is more suitable than the monocrystalline cell structure. Polycrystalline solar panels have more widespread production because of their low cost. But the efficiency of polycrystalline solar panels is lower compared to monocrystalline.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

It is made of high grade silicon and therefore monocrystalline panels work with high efficiency. Performance ratios in monocrystalline solar panels are 15-20. Because monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient, they are often used in space stations, satellites, and high-tech products. The biggest disadvantage of monocrystalline solar panel is that it is more expensive.

How to Choose a Solar Panel?

The power of the solar panels in watts is the most important feature that affects the price. For example, there is a difference in producing 100 watts of electricity per hour between a 150-watt panel and a 250-watt panel. That's why solar panels prices are determined in watts. Since the production costs of large panels such as 250 watts are more economical than panels such as 100 watts, their unit costs are cheaper. It is more convenient to try to buy the largest solar panel module in the solar panel selection.

Where is Solar Energy Used?

Solar energy is a type of energy that can be used in many different areas. It is a type of energy that can be used in almost every sector. Solar energy, which is a successful alternative to the increasing energy need with the development of technology, is an energy generation method on which many studies have been carried out today, where the tendency to renewable energy sources is increasing.

Electricity generation from solar energy is one of the most widely used. The sun, which is not dependent on weather conditions such as rain and wind, offers a clear usage opportunity especially in the morning and sets in the evening, it can be considered normal that the trend is a little higher.

Solar energy is actually a not so new technology that has been used in wristwatches and calculators since ancient times. Small solar cells in wristwatches can generate enough energy to power the watch. The fact that calculators can work for years without changing their batteries is thanks to the fact that they produce energy with solar energy.

Solar energy, as a type of energy used in space and satellites, is used to supply the electricity needs of satellites sent to space by humanity.

Solar energy is also used to maintain the operation of the traffic lights on the roads. Many of the signal lamps or street lamps encountered in traffic also work with this method. Most of the traffic lights and signs are operated by a system that includes a battery, solar panel and charge control unit.

Where Are Solar Panels Used?

Solar panels can be used for many purposes, mainly generating electricity and heat. Solar panels can be used in homes, shopping malls, workplaces. Or solar power plants are established to meet the energy and water needs of an industry or a town. Solar panels are especially placed in areas that receive sunlight during the day.

In our country, municipalities in many cities are increasing these works day by day and establishing solar power plants to meet the electricity and hot water needs of public buildings and residential areas. It is also known that there are systems installed even on highways for energy production from solar panels around the world.

How Much Electricity Do Solar Panels Produce?

Solar panels produce different amounts of electricity depending on the size and characteristics of the panel. However, based on general and unit energy amounts, a 1 kW photovoltaic silicon system (100 W) will produce 1 kW of electricity during the hours when the sun is fully received. How many kW of system is installed during the hours when the sun is at the top and reaches the panel directly, the more electricity it is possible to produce. However, the sun falls on the earth from different angles throughout the year. On the other hand, the rate of sunbathing changes with the seasons. Considering these data, it has been determined that there is an average of 7 hours of sunlight per day in Turkey. In this case, on average in a year;

1 kW x 6 hours x 365 days = 2190 kW of energy will be produced.

Considering that some of this is lost for various reasons, you will get an average of 2000 kW of electrical energy.

Household solar panels can produce up to approximately 300 W of energy. However, it should be known that the greater the power, the greater the size. In case of 1 hour of sunlight per day, your 300 W panel produces approximately 0.3 kW of electricity. Assuming 7 hours of average sunlight, 2.1 kW of electricity will be produced. A 300W panel has an average size of 160 x 120 cm.

The average daily electricity consumption of a house in Turkey is considered to be 10 kW. In this case, 5 or 6 300 W (3 kW) solar panels will easily provide all the electricity needs of your home throughout the year.