How Do Solar Panels Actually Work? 

The amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth in one-and-a-half hours is enough to power the entire planet for a full year. Practically, harvesting this much energy is impossible at present, but solar panels are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to harness energy produced by the sun without releasing harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Solar panels can feed electricity directly into a power grid or store it in batteries for use later, but how do solar panels actually work? 

The Easy Explanation 

Solar panels convert photovoltaic energy (sunlight) into electrical energy. This is achieved using either solar panels or mirrors which concentrate solar radiation. The amount of solar radiation available at any given location varies according to many environmental factors, however, as a principle, solar radiation can be harnessed to produce electrical energy. This works by a system of addition. Solar panels contain an internal electrical field located in their photovoltaic cells. When solar energy shines onto photovoltaic cells it activates an electrical charge that moves in response to the internal electrical field. Electricity by nature is in motion. When the electrical charge begins to move within a photovoltaic cell, it can be directed into a power grid or battery. 

The Advanced Explanation 

To explain in more detail, a solar panel works by allowing photons – light particles – to knock electrons free from atoms stored within a photovoltaic cell. This generates a flow of electricity which can be directed by a circuit to a power grid or battery for use later. A ‘sandwich effect’ is used in solar panels to generate an electric field and direct electrons. Phosphorus is seeded onto the top of a silicon layer. This adds a negative charge according to the presence of extra electrons in the phosphorus; compared to the silicon. Boron is seeded to the bottom of a silicon layer, which adds a positive charge according to the presence of less electrons in the boron; compared to the silicon. The presence of a negative charge on top and a positive charge below creates an electric field in between the two seeded materials. Thus, when an electron is knocked free from the photovoltaic cell by a photon from the sun, the electric field pushes it out of the silicon junction. The motion can be imagined by pressing a watermelon seed between the thumb and index finger: the two opposing forces create pressure which causes the seed to shoot out from between the two fingers. 

Why Is Keeping Solar Panels Clean Important? 

Solar panels are only able to produce as much energy as there is photovoltaic material exposed to sunlight. If photons from the sun are blocked from reaching a panel by bird poo, tree branches or other detritus, they are unable to knock off electrons from the atoms within the cell. This results in less electricity being produced overall. When solar panels are clean, they are able to produce 5-10% more energy than when dirty. 

Contact Solar Proofing Sydney Today 

Call Solar Proofing Sydney to set up bird-repellent guards on the perimeter of your solar panels and keep them clean from avian droppings and loose plumage. We will encourage you to subscribe to a regular cleaning routine too: twice per year. Call us on 0468 433 829 to chat about how we can make sure your solar panels save you as much money as possible this new year.