| Solar panels are employed for harnessing natural | | | | areas where it's not viable to distribute electricity thru |
| sunlight, an endless source of non-conventional energy, | | | | conventional means. |
| for its conversion to electricity. | | | | Many commercial companies and governments are |
| It is estimated that o a sunny bright day, the sun | | | | making serious efforts to develop vehicles including |
| discharges one kilowatt of energy per square meter | | | | cars and yachts that would work on solar power. As |
| of surface of earth, but sadly a very small fraction of | | | | energy is derived from the sun, it's of utmost |
| this energy is captured for useful purposes. | | | | importance that the solar panels have large surface |
| Solar panels comprise of photocells, called photovoltaic | | | | areas pointing towards the sun to collect most of |
| (PV) cells in technical parlance. Photo pertains to light, | | | | sunlight. |
| whereas voltaic derived from voltage refers to | | | | Crystalline silicon and gallium arsenide are rated to be |
| electricity. These cells may be employed for making | | | | the ideal choice for making solar cells. Though silicon |
| solar hot water panels or for making photovoltaic | | | | gives lower efficiency, it's favored for its low cost. The |
| panels for generating electricity. You should understand | | | | cost of PV panels varies from $1 to $2 per watt, |
| that heat is also a form of energy and water heated | | | | whereas after installation it works out to $3 to $7 per |
| by using these cells can be used for many applications, | | | | watt. It is hoped that some day solar panels would be |
| including generation of electricity. It will be of great help | | | | the ultimate choice for harnessing solar power for the |
| to produce electric power from solar energy is remote | | | | mankind. |