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How do Solar Panels Work

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How Do Solar Panels Work

"Do You Want To Know How Solar Panels Work? A Step by Step Explanation..."

For most people, understanding how solar panels work is a big mystery. As complicated as it may seem, once it’s explained properly, it’s actually quite easy to understand. By the end of this article, you’ll have a very solid idea of how a solar panel works.

How Solar Panels Work – The Chemistry

Bear with me while I explain this in chemistry-speak. A solar panel is made out of deliberately impure Silicon. Silicon (Si) has four electrons revolving around it in this natural state. However, these silicon atoms can each hold up to eight electrons.

When a pure Silicon atom is placed next to another pure Silicon atom, the two atoms can “share” their four electrons and each have eight electrons. However, if Silicon has eight electrons, that doesn’t leave much room for electricity (loose electrons) to flow through.

That’s why impurities are deliberately introduced. Pure Silicon is usually mixed with another atom, such as Phosphorus, which has five electrons. When the two combine, one electron is then floating. This allows electricity to flow.

How Solar Panels Work – The Sun

When sunlight hits the solar panel, the photons will knock all electrons around. The extra electron made from mixing Silicon and Phosphorus is then knocked loose, into the metal ring that surrounds the panel itself.

The ring is generally made from Silicon and Boron, which sucks up that extra electron and turns it into electricity.

How Solar Panels Work – Conversion

Once you have that electron, the final step is to convert it into usable energy. Once the photons are collected, they’re first converted into Direct Current (DC) electricity. Then, by flowing the DC current through an inverter, you create AC electricity that can be used by cars, calculators and home appliances.

To sum it up, here’s how solar panels work:

A special panel with floating electrons that react to photos is made. When photons from the sun hit the panel, it’s absorbed by a special ring. The photons are then converted to DC electricity, then to AC electricity. From there, the electricity can be used for whatever purposes you like.

Congratulations! You now know how solar panels work, and all you need to do is to start building your own solar electric panel.