How do solar panels convert the Sun’s energy into electricity?

6 Responses to How do solar panels convert the Sun’s energy into electricity?

1. NeoJoe says:

   January 19, 2010 at 10:07 am

   Something about the radiation, but I’m sure you could find out exactly how it works on something like http://www.Ask.com
   References :
2. kevpet2005 says:

   January 19, 2010 at 10:57 am

   This is a bit complicated. Solar panels depend on the fact that different materials are more conductive when they are warmer. When a certain metal is warmed by the sun it becomes more conductive. That is it has more free electrons than when it was colder. When this metal is brought into close proximity to a less conductive metal, a voltage is induced since electrons want to flow from the highly-conductive material into the low-conductive material. By making the one material dark, so that it absorbs more sunlight and therefore gets warmer, a voltage is induced between the warm dark material and the cooler light material. Anytime you have a difference in conductivity between two conductive materials you have voltage when you bring them close together.
   References :
3. Will Smith's rap-songwriter says:

   January 19, 2010 at 11:24 am

   Basically, it uses heat radiation from the sun to heat water. Here’s how:

   The radiation enters the ‘solar panel’ through a thin layer of glass. Once it’s entered, it gets trapped because the copper pipes and all the other surfaces inside the ‘solar panel’ are black and of a matt material – the two properties which help absorb heat radiation.

   The absorbed heat radiation then heats copper pipes inside the solar panel. They simply heat the water inside. As copper is a good conductor of heat, it spreads the heat along well. The heated water runs through the house and can be used for, eg. central heating or just simply hot water for washing (eg. washing machines, dishwashers and showers/baths).

   Extra: the other way of obtaining energy from the Sun is by photovoltaic cells. This absorbs light energy and turns it straight to electrical energy – it is a transducer – changes the type of energy. However, photovoltaic cells are expensive and need a lot of light for a significant amount of electricity. So photovoltaic cells are found in low-level appliances such as calculators, but never houses.

   Hope it helps.
   References :
4. Dave S. says:

   January 19, 2010 at 11:38 am

   To put it simply, photons from the sun strike the Photo-voltaic panel and cause electrons to start moving which creates a DC current.This DC current can then be converted to AC by way of an inverter. Here is a good
   article I found:http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell1.htm
   It is pretty good reading if you are interested in Solar.
   References :
5. SolarBerg says:

   January 19, 2010 at 12:20 pm

   Its easier to link to this article, its pretty straightforward and in layman’s terms:

   http://saving-energy.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_solar_panels_work
   References :
6. Sunnyzhao says:

   January 19, 2010 at 12:38 pm

   solar cells based on semiconductor materials, and its working principle is photovoltaic materials photoelectron conversion reaction after absorb light energy , Solar cells’ elements is the photoelectric effect of semiconductors,

   you could find more at blow website:
   References :
   http://solarphotovoltaic.blogspot.com