Solar Panel Efficiency

Solar panels are made up of solar cells. The electricity produced from one solar cell is minimal, so a number are linked to form solar panels - which should create a significant amount of power. Silicon cells make up the most typically used solar panels (also called Photo Voltaic or PV modules) which produce a as much as 50 Watts of electricity in bright sunlight. To generate even more energy, solar panels can be interconnected.

By connecting to the grid, people who create solar energy can be paid by the utilities for any extra electricity they produce. Net metering (which is allowed in 30 states) tracks a solar power system's electricity production and allows producers to sell excess electricity back to the utilities. The most frequently used option is a single, reversible meter. As electricity is produced by the solar power system, on-site demand is fulfilled first. Then, rather than being battery-stored, the extra electricity is sent back into the grid, and turns the electric meter backwards. The utility company then credits the homeowner at the end of each metering period.

The use of solar panels will decrease your carbon emissions your carbon footprint since solar energy doesn't release harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) and is considered "green". Each home solar power system could save 2650 pounds of CO2 per year (30 tons over its lifetime). "The next industrial revolution will be based on these clean green technologies," - Tony Juniper, director, Friends of the Earth.

Photovoltaic cells generate electricity from sunlight, but there are other techniques for making solar power. There are also solar-thermal panels which churn out hot water rather than electricity. With solar-thermal panels there's no need for electricity. Both panels look alike; however, where photovoltaic panels absorb light particles into solar cells, solar thermal panels absorb heat through a sheet of black glass. Water trickles by way of the panels, and is heated as it does so, before flowing through into the water system of the home, and out by way of the faucets.

A solar panel is a flat rectangular structure, varying in size. Solar panels are made from individual solar collectors that are covered with a protective sheet of glass. Each palm-sized cell is usually octagon-shaped with a bluish-black color. In the same way the cells in a battery are designed to produce electricity, so solar cells are developed for the same purpose. But where battery cells use chemicals, solar cells use the sun's rays. Photovoltaic is another name given to these cells - "photo" from "photos", the Greek word for "of light", and "voltaic" - named for Italian physicist, Alessandro Volta.

Having been inspired by the effectiveness of solar panels for his own residence, A-list actor, Edward Norton came up with a program which provides solar panels to low-income Los Angeles families. Each time a superstar buys their solar panels, the BP Solar Neighbors program grants a free solar system to one of these families. Robin Williams, along with Owen Wilson and Tom Hanks, have already gotten involved in the project, and are among many others. It's encouraging to note that oil giant BP's solar division is actually growing by an extraordinary 30% per year.







Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5018531