The sun is the source of solar energy. Solar panels (also called “PV panels”) convert light from the sun, which consists of particles of energy called “photons”, into electricity that powers electrical loads.
In addition to producing electricity, solar panels can also be used for remote power systems for cabins, telecommunications equipment, remote sensing, and of course for residential and commercial solar electric systems.
We will discuss the history, technology, and benefits of solar panels on this page. You will learn how solar panels work, how they are made, how they generate electricity, and where you can buy them.
Solar Panels: A Brief History
Over 100 years have passed since solar energy was developed. Early on, solar energy was primarily used to produce steam, which powered machinery. It wasn’t until Edmond Becquerel discovered the “photovoltaic effect” that sunlight could be converted to electricity. After Becquerel’s discovery, Charles Fritts created the first genuine solar cell in 1893 by coating sheets of selenium with a thin layer of gold. This led to the invention of the solar panel that we know today.
Russell Ohl, an American inventor working for Bell Laboratories, patented the world’s first silicon solar cell in 1941. Based on Ohl’s invention, the same company produced the first solar panel in 1954. On a large scale, solar panels were first used on satellites. People probably had their first solar panel embedded in their calculators in the 1970s.
Today, solar panels and solar panel systems are used in a wide range of applications. Solar cells are still used in calculators as solar panels. It is also possible to use them to power entire homes and buildings, such as Google’s California headquarters.
How Are Solar Panels Made?
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that can be used to power electrical loads using clean renewable energy. Solar cells are composed of silicon, phosphorous (which provides the negative charge), and boron (which provides the positive charge). Solar panels generate electricity by absorbing photons. Photons striking the solar panel knock electrons from their atomic orbits, releasing them into the electric field generated by the solar cells, which then pull these electrons into a directional current. This entire process is known as the Photovoltaic Effect. The roof space on most houses is more than enough for enough solar panels to produce sufficient solar electricity to meet all of their power needs, with excess electricity being fed into the main power grid, saving them money at night.
During the day, a well-balanced grid-connected solar array generates power that is used by the home at night. In a net metering program, solar generator owners can get paid if their systems produce more energy than they need. Off-grid solar applications require a battery bank, charge controller, and inverter. The solar array sends direct current (DC) electricity to the battery bank through the charge controller. For use with non-DC appliances, power is drawn from the battery bank and converted into alternating current (AC) by the inverter. Using an inverter, solar panels can be sized to meet the most demanding electrical load requirements. A variety of loads can be powered by AC current, including homes, commercial buildings, recreational vehicles, boats, remote cabins, cottages, and homes, telecommunications equipment, oil and gas flow monitoring, RTUs, and SCADAs.
Solar panels have many benefits
Many applications can be powered by solar panels. Off-grid living is an obvious choice. When you live off-grid, you are not connected to the main electric grid. Solar power systems are ideal for remote homes and cabins. The installation of electric utility poles and cabling from the nearest main grid access point no longer requires huge fees. If properly maintained, a solar electric system can provide power for upwards of three decades.
In addition to making it possible to live off-grid with solar panels, perhaps the greatest benefit of solar power is that it is clean and renewable. We must do whatever we can to reduce the pressure on our atmosphere caused by greenhouse gas emissions in light of global climate change. There are no moving parts in solar panels, so they require little maintenance. When properly maintained, they last for decades.
As a final benefit of solar panels and solar power, after a system pays for its initial installation costs, the electricity it produces for the remainder of its lifespan, which could be as long as 15-20 years depending on the quality of the system, is free! The benefits for grid-tied solar power system owners begin as soon as the system is installed, potentially eliminating monthly electric bills or, and this is the best part, even earning the owner additional income from the utility company. In what way? The excess power your solar electric system produces can be sold to your electric utility company, sometimes at a premium!
In addition to generating electricity, solar panels have many other applications and benefits. As you browse our website, you’ll gain a better understanding of how versatile and convenient solar power can be.
What is the cost of solar panels?
Over the past couple of years, solar panel prices have decreased significantly. Combined with the 30$ federal solar Investment Tax Credit and other applicable incentives, NOW is the best time to invest in solar power. A solar power system costs about the same as a mid-sized car!
Can you tell me where I can buy solar panels?
It’s right here on this website, of course!
The most respected solar panel manufacturers are among our brands. BP Solar, General Electric, and Sharp are among these brands. Our solar panels are manufactured by manufacturers who have a proven track record of producing high-quality solar panels. At MrSolar.com, we know solar panels with over 30 years of experience!
