Almost everyone has seen solar power systems on calculators, and if you think about the traditional image of a satellite, the wing-like panels attached to the satellite may also be solar panel systems. ‘Photo’ means light, and Sutherland Shire Hot water ‘voltaic’ means energy.
But just how do these panels actually absorb energy and transfer into souped up that you need to use at your residence?
PV panels contain treated silicon and also other materials including an antireflective coating. The silicon can be a semi-conductor (like metal, not like plastic). When the light hits the silicone semi-conductor, some of the energy is absorbed with the panel and knocks electrons inside silicon loose which allows them to flow freely. The PV panels have an electric field that forces these ‘freed’ electrons to flow in a very specific direction – and that we truly realize that electrons flowing inside a specific direction is called ‘current’.
In detail – how can it work?
Silicone atoms have 14 electrons in 3 different shells. Two of the shells are ‘full’ and the third shell is ‘half empty’. So, this third shell is usually researching to fill itself track of 4 more electrons and so each silicon atom shares electrons with 4 of it’s neighbours – sharing one electron with each neighbour.
But silicone itself isn’t quite good enough – without impurities being included with the silicon structure, the electrons remain static so they really don’t flow ‘freely’. So impurities like phosphorous or boron are added in to the mix in small quantities. This means that the check of electrons is adjusted enough permit ‘freed’ electrons play musical chairs searching for shells to lower into.
In a cell, phosphorous is included with make ‘negative’ cells and boron is put into make ‘positive’ cells, when electrons are let go the existing will flow through the negative to the positive side – current.
Once current is created (dc – DC) it needs to be converted into alternating current (AC) so that it can be used in normal household appliances. That’s where the inverter measures in.