Photovoltaic solar panels work by allowing particles of light known as photons to generate electricity by knocking electrons free from atoms. Each solar panel is comprised of a linked series of photovoltaic cells made of two slices of silicon, or another semi-conducting material.
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Duncan Clark
HOW PHOTOVOLTAIC
SOLAR PANELS WORK
Photovoltaic solar panels work by allowing particles
of light known as photons to generate electricity by
knocking electrons free from atoms.
Each solar panel is
comprised of a linked
series of photovoltaic
cells made of two
slices of silicon,
or another semi-
conducting material.
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ESTABLISHING THE ELECTRIC FIELD
Manufacturers of solar photovoltaic panels infuse the
silicon in each half of the sandwich with other materials
(boron and phosphorous), which give each side either a
positive or a negative charge. This establishes an electric
field within the junction between the two slices, which
pushes electrons out of the junction once the sunlight
has knocked them free.
CONDUCTIVE PLATES
Solar panels have metal conductive plates fitted to the
sides of each cell. These plates turn the electrons that
have been knocked free into usable electric power, which
is then sent to wires which can be connected to the grid or
any other form of electrical storage.
Each solar panel is comprised of a linked series of
photovoltaic cells made of two slices of silicon, or
another semi-conducting material.
4. New technologies are being developed that have
the potential to make solar photovoltaic energy an
affordable and efficient alternative to fossil fuels. You
can learn more about these by visiting the blog of
Duncan Clark, Nextgen Nano’s Director of Operations.
DUNCAN CLARK