How Does Solar Power Work? The Basics

There are many techniques that can be used toEven though solar panels are limited to collecting
harness energy from the sun. The most common issunlight only during daylight hours, this does not limit
the use of photovoltaic or PV technology. This methodthere ability to provide power at night or during
directly changes sunlight into electricity by using solarinclement or cloudy days, by their ability to store the
cells. One solar panel is comprised of many individualenergy on to battery packs.
modules of solar cells. When these cells are exposedSolar power is a clean and silent form of energy
to photons in the sun's ray, some electrons areproduction. Solar power does not produce any harmful
knocked free. These freed electrons generate anor toxic waste, there are no emissions of any sort and
electrical current that is captured by the solar panel toit is a totally renewable and self-replenishing resource.
provide electricity.Solar power is one of the most eco-friendly forms of
Another form of solar power is by using thermalenergy production available and once the initial cost are
collectors that store energy onto batteries which laterexpended, there are no monthly electric bills. The
release electricity as need. Use of the sun helps topower of the sun is there and its free, making solar
provide other forms of renewable energy such as thepower not only good for Mother Nature but for the
in production of bio-fuels, in wind and water power asbank account as well.
well.