What Is A Solar Panel

A solar panel is actually more accurately called a photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel. Each photovoltaic module is made up of an array of single small photovoltaic cells. These cells are also called solar cells. Each solar cell when exposed to the sun, produces a very small amount of electricity. When the individual cells are wired together in an array, the voltage and current is increased to the desired amount.

Solar cells create electricity when exposed to light energy or photons from the sun. This is called the the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are most effective when oriented in such a way as to be pointing directly at the sun. There are two main types of construction of solar cells. The first is made from micro crystalline silicone freedrick rocks and the second is called a “thin film cell” which is made from cadmium telluride.

A photovoltaic module or solar panel is made up of several of these individuals solar cells. The cells are wired together until the desired output is reached. The cells are delicate and easily damaged so they are covered by a protective glass or plastic coating. For most applications, several solar panels are wired together to form a large array of the energy producing modules.

Individual photovoltaic cells are wired together in “series” to increase the voltage that the particular photovoltaic module will produce.  To increase the amount of electricity or current that the photovoltaic system is capable of producing, the individual modules are wired together in “parallel” until the desired amperage rating is achieved.

Most solar panels are rigid but there are some solar panels that are actually flexible.  These newly designed flexible modules are making it possible for solar panels to be used in applications where their use would be impractical in the past.  For example, manufactures have designed a solar panel matt that can be rolled up and stuffed in a backpack.  When electricity is needed for charging small portable devices like cell phones, video games, or PDAs, the mat is simply unrolled and placed in the sun.

Some newly designedd solar panels are equipped with concentrator technology.  These light concentrators are either lenses, mirrors, or a combination of the two used to concentrate the suns rays  onto the solar panel.  Researchers have discovered ways of improving the efficiency of solar panels by the use of this concentrator technology.  More electricity can be produced with smaller solar panel arrays than ever before.

I hope you enjoyed your stay at Solar Lights Information.com!