| What are home solar power panels? The primary | | | | order to provide the base within which solar cells are |
| function of a solar panel is to transform sunlight into | | | | formed. Polycrystalline solar cells are processed from |
| usable electricity. This effect is a physical manifestation | | | | numerous silicon crystals that are heated together, and |
| of the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are made up | | | | then cooled in molds to form ingots of silicon. The ingot |
| of solar cells that are gathered together within a | | | | is then cut into wafers and processed as before in |
| frame. Each solar cell has the capability to convert the | | | | order to produce solar cells. |
| sunlight into useful electricity. However, the conversion | | | | The efficiency of a home solar power panel is |
| rate of each cell is somewhat limited when measured | | | | measured by the ratio of the output and input power. |
| in total wattage output. Basically, each cell only | | | | Generally solar panels return an efficiency range of |
| produces an amount of electricity equivalent to 1 to 2 | | | | from approximately 10 percent to about 19 percent. As |
| Watts. Therefore a very large number of solar cells | | | | might be expected, the higher the efficiency rating |
| need to be integrated into each solar panel, and usually | | | | obtained, the more likely the cost of each panel will |
| a significant number of panels are connected in order | | | | also be higher. When planning a new installation |
| to form a so called solar panel array. This procedure is | | | | therefore, it is necessary to consider initial installation |
| necessary to produce a usable quantity of solar | | | | costs against better long term efficiency savings in |
| power for a complete home. | | | | order to make the right choice for you. |
| This joining of solar cells collectively in order to | | | | Determining the right solar panels therefore requires a |
| establish higher power is an inherent advantage of the | | | | knowledge of some specific parameters. These |
| solar cell system. It follows that when you require | | | | parameters will help you decide which solar panel to |
| additional power for personal consumption, you only | | | | use in your application. Three important measurements |
| have to add more panels. | | | | to be aware of include 'efficiency', 'rated power at |
| There are several types of solar power panel, which | | | | STC', and 'rated power per square foot'. 'Efficiency' is |
| have different power generating characteristics ad | | | | the ratio of the output power of the solar panel to the |
| features dependent upon the material from which they | | | | input power of the sunlight reaching it. 'Rated power at |
| are made. They can be made up of either thin-film, | | | | STC' measures the total output in watts from the |
| monocrystalline, or polycrystalline modules. The | | | | panel under Standard Test Conditions. 'Rated power |
| Thin-film solar cell consists of alloys (amorphous-silicon) | | | | per square foot' is the power output of the solar panel |
| which are stored in thin layers deposited on a | | | | at Standard Test Conditions per square foot of the |
| substrate. This means it can be quite supple | | | | panel's surface area. |
| (dependent on the substrate used) and is therefore | | | | Finally, modern home solar power panel designs |
| more easily applicable in certain environments. | | | | maximize the generation of electricity from solar |
| Monocrystalline, on the other hand, is created from one | | | | energy and are now a very viable option if you wish |
| silicon crystal rod and can be considered as having a | | | | to harness this form of 'renewable' energy to meet |
| rigid structure. The silicon rod is cut into thin wafers in | | | | your personal home consumption. |