| Solar panels have been around for over half a century. | | | | metal contacts in the solar cell which can generate |
| Now, as the technology has advanced over recent | | | | electricity. The greater the number of solar cells in a |
| years, they are seen as one of the principal sources | | | | panel, the greater the electrical output the solar panel |
| of alternative energy. | | | | can produce. |
| What are the benefits of solar panels? | | | | How much power do solar panels produce? |
| · They are a source of renewable energy | | | | The efficiency of a solar panel, and how much energy |
| · They provide an independent source of electricity | | | | it produces, depends on the climate, weather and |
| · They are non-polluting and cause no harm to the | | | | number of daylight hours of the location where it is |
| atmosphere | | | | installed. They produce most energy when exposed to |
| · Once a solar energy system has been installed it is | | | | direct sunlight in clear skies but will also produce a |
| a free energy source | | | | reduced amount under cloudy skies. All PV panels are |
| · Solar cells require very little maintenance as they | | | | affected by heat. The hotter the panel, the lower the |
| have no moving parts | | | | power output (20% to 40%). This means that power |
| · They can last a lifetime. | | | | generation can be higher in winter than summer |
| · In some countries government grants are available | | | | despite the fact that the sun is lower in the sky. |
| to encourage the fitting of renewable energy sources | | | | The maximum power a panel can produce and the |
| for your home | | | | actual power it delivers are not at the same - the |
| The only real downside is the initial cost. Solar panels | | | | actual power depends upon the amount of light energy |
| are not cheap to purchase and have installed. The | | | | falling on the panel. |
| savings gained by having a solar energy system | | | | Most solar electric panels are labelled with their peak |
| installed in the home accumulate over about 10 years | | | | power output - this is the maximum power (measured |
| to repay the cost of the solar energy system. After | | | | in watts) that the panel can generate in full sunlight. |
| that your energy is free. | | | | Work out the power produced by finding out the |
| How do solar panels work? | | | | number of 'peak sun hours' your location receives |
| They work by absorbing sunlight and converting it into | | | | each day, then multiply the watt rating of the solar |
| useful energy. The panels are made up of solar cells | | | | panel by the number of peak sun hours. Sun hours will |
| (photovoltaic cells) arranged in a grid, which collect the | | | | vary by season with the lowest being in the winter. |
| sun's rays during daylight hours and convert their | | | | Solar panels are an investment in the future. You can |
| energy into electricity. The solar cells within the panel | | | | look forward to your own independent power supply |
| function in a similar way to semiconductors. The | | | | and once you have paid off the cost of installing your |
| energy generated from light photons hitting the surface | | | | solar power system you will effectively have free |
| of the solar panel knock electrons out of their orbit and | | | | electricity. With ever rising electricity prices that can't |
| releases them. The electric fields in the solar cells pull | | | | be bad. |
| these free electrons in a directional current to the | | | | |