Sun light is actually a mixture of
light and heat, and the light itself is a mixture of different frequencies of
electromagnetic radiation, including invisible ultraviolet (the sunlight that
gives you sunburn) and infrared (the invisible light you feel as radiated heat
if you stand near something like a camp fire or barbecue). The great thing
about solar energy is that it's plentiful and free. In theory, every
horizontal square meter of Earth receives about 1kW of power from the Sun
(assuming overhead Sun at midday and a cloudless sky): that's 1000 joules of
energy every single second, which adds up to a huge amount over the course of
a (sunny) day.
Energy from the Sun is the most abundant and absolutely freely available
energy on planet earth. In order to utilize this energy we need help from the
second most abundant element on earth, sand. The sand has to be converted to
99.999% pure silicon crystals to use in solar cells. To achieve this, the sand
has to go through a complex purification process as shown. The raw silicon
gets converted into a gaseous silicon compound form. This is then mixed with
hydrogen to get highly purified polycrystalline silicon. These silicon ingots
are reshaped, and converted into very thin slices called silicon wafers. The
silicon wafer is the heart of a photovoltaic cell.
What are solar cells?
A solar cell is an electronic device that catches sunlight and turns it
directly into electricity. It's about the size of an adult's palm, octagonal in shape, and colored
bluish black. Solar cells are often bundled together to make larger units
called solar modules, themselves coupled into even bigger units known as solar
panels (the black- or blue-tinted slabs you see on people's homes, typically
with several hundred individual solar cells per roof) or chopped into chips
(to provide power for small gadgets like pocket calculators and digital
watches).
What is solar cells made up of?
A solar cell is made of two types of semiconductors, called p-type and
n-type silicon.
The p-type silicon is produced by adding atoms such as boron or gallium that
have one less electron in their outer energy level than does silicon.
Because boron has one less electron than is required to form the bonds with
the surrounding silicon atoms, an electron vacancy or “hole” is created.
The n-type silicon is made by including atoms that have one more electron in
their outer level than does silicon, such as phosphorus. Phosphorus has five
electrons in its outer energy level, not four. It bonds with its silicon
neighbor atoms, but one electron is not involved in bonding. Instead, it is
free to move inside the silicon structure.
A solar cell consists of a layer of p-type silicon placed next to a layer of
n-type silicon. In the n-type layer, there is an excess of electrons, and in
the p-type layer, there is an excess of positively charged holes (which are
vacancies due to the lack of valence electrons). Near the junction of the two
layers, the electrons on one side of the junction (n-type layer) move into the
holes on the other side of the junction (p-type layer). This creates an area
around the junction, called the depletion zone, in which the electrons fill
the holes.
How Solar Cells Work?
It generates electricity by using sunlight to make electrons hop across the
junction between the different flavors of silicon:
When sunlight shines on the cell, photons (light particles) bombard the
upper surface.
- The photons carry their energy down through the cell.
The photons give up their energy to electrons in the lower, p-type layer.
The electrons use this energy to jump across the barrier into the upper,
n-type layer and escape out into the circuit.
- Flowing around the circuit, the electrons make the bulb light up.
Solar Energy Pros and Cons
Solar energy has pros and cons. It’s important to find an energy that works
for you, and determining if solar energy will fit into your daily lifestyle
is a priority. Here are some factors to consider when deciding which energy
choice is right for you.
Advantages of Solar Energy
Lowers your Electricity Bills
- Environmentally Friendly
- Moves us Closer Towards Energy Independence
- Sustainable
- Low Maintenance
Benefits the Electricity Grid
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
- Expensive Initial Investment
- It Won’t Work at Night
- Limited Energy Storage
- Space Constraints
- Isn’t 100% Pollution-Free
- Depends on Location
Types of Solar Power Systems:
Solar energy is the use of solar energy in various technologies by taking in
the heat radiated from the sun. A photovoltaic system is a system that uses
the energy of the sun to generate electricity. Typical solar systems are
solar panels (absorbing sunlight), inverters (converting DC power to AC
power), batteries (to store extra power generated), grid boxes, and
system balancing (wires). , Nut, etc.). ). Solar systems come in a variety
of sizes, including 1kW, 3kW, 5kW, and 10kW.
In general, solar systems can be divided into three types.
On-Grid Solar System:
This type of Solar Power System is the most common. A grid-tied or
grid-connected photovoltaic system, as the name implies, is a photovoltaic
system connected to a home and a traditional power grid. This type of
PV system does not include a storage battery. The solar power
generated by the
solar module is consumed instantly by all devices. If your PV system
produces more power than you use at home, you can sell the surplus power
back to your power company with a scheme called net metering. If the
PV system does not produce enough power, the equilibrium current required by
the consumer will be drawn from the public power grid.
This type of system requires several electrical cabinets, junction boxes and
circuit breakers, and an inverter. You will also need to sign a grid
connection agreement with your local utility company.
Off-grid Solar Power System:
Hybrid Solar Power System
Frequently Asked Questions: Solar Cells
Question No. 1: Can solar panels power a house?
Answer: Yes, solar panels can power a house. It depends on the power
usage of your house, so you should install solar panels depending on that.
Next thing that matters is amount of sunlight your panels are getting, more
the better.
Question No. 2: Why solar energy is good?
Answer: Energy from the Sun is the most abundant and absolutely
freely available energy on planet earth and unlike fossil fuels, it won't
run out anytime soon. As a renewable energy source, the only limitation of
solar power is our ability to turn it into electricity in an efficient and
cost-effective way.
Question No. 3: Will solar panels save me money?
Answer: Yes, they will save you money as you will be using free
electricity generated by solar panels, and the excessive energy is sold to
government. Units sold are deducted from the bill. Solar panels save you
much more in the long-run. Your solar panel system can pay for itself in
three years
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