Learn How To Make Solar Panels

Why solar panels?
Solar power is a form of renewable energy. Going green means living within a balance that must exist between you and your environment, a balance that humanity has too often let fall to the wayside in recent times. It means to minimize your impact on this earth, and offset or even eliminate your use of non-renewable resources. The sun provides a constant supply of power which can be harnessed to fulfil household electrical requirements

Solar panels are installed by people who care about the environment. A side benefit is that while you are doing something positive for the environment you are also saving money. You are no longer dependent on an electricity provider because you generate your own energy!

What are solar panels?
There are 3 main types of solar cells.
Mono-crystalline silicon is the most efficient and produces the smallest solar cells, and therefore the smallest panels.
Mono-crystalline panels produce the smallest solar cells, conserving your rooftop real estate. Tried and tested, some mono-crystalline panel installations commissioned in the 1970's are still operational today and have even withstood the harsh conditions of space!
Poly-crystalline (or multi-crystalline) silicon produces the next most efficient type of cells and are a popular choice.
Polycrystalline solar panels are one of the most popular choices for grid connect and off grid solar power systems
Amorphous (or thin-film) silicon uses the least amount of silicon and also produces the least efficient solar cells. This means thin film system take up more area than the other two; an important factor to consider in relation to possible future upgrades; i.e. if you'll have enough space left to do so.
Mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline work very well in bright cool conditions, whereas amorphous (thin-film) silicon will be more efficient at higher temperatures, We generally recommend mono-crystalline or multi-crystalline for large unshaded roofs amorphous panels for roofs with partial shading.
Do not install solar panels on fully shaded roofs as regardless of the technology currently in use, a solar panel in full shade will only generate a small fraction of its rated capacity.
How do solar panels work?
Silicon atoms have room for eight electrons in their outer bands, but only carry four in their natural state. This means there is room for four more electrons. If one silicon atom contacts another silicon atom, each receives the other atom's four electrons. This creates a strong bond, but there is no positive or negative charge because the eight electrons satisfy the atoms' needs. Silicon atoms can combine for years to result in a large piece of pure silicon. This material is used to form the plates of solar panels.
Here's where science enters the picture. Two plates of pure silicon would not generate electricity in solar panels, because they have no positive or negative charge. Solar panels are created by combining silicon with other elements that do have positive or negative charges.
Phosphorus, for example, has five electrons to offer to other atoms. If silicon and phosphorus are combined chemically, the result is a stable eight electrons with an additional free electron along for the ride. It can't leave, because it is bonded to the other phosphorus atoms, but it isn't needed by the silicon. Therefore, this new silicon/phosphorus plate is considered to be negatively charged.
In order for electricity to flow, a positive charge must also be created. This is achieved in solar panels by combining silicon with an element such as boron, which only has three electrons to offer. A silicon/boron plate still has one spot left for another electron. This means the plate has a positive charge. The two plates are sandwiched together in solar panels, with conductive wires running between them.
With the two plates in place, it's now time to bring in the 'solar' aspect of solar panels. Natural sunlight sends out many different particles of energy, but the one we're most interested in is called a photon. A photon essentially acts like a moving hammer. When the negative plates of solar cells are pointed at a proper angle to the sun, photons bombard the silicon/phosphorus atoms.
Eventually, the 9th electron, which wants to be free anyway, is knocked off the outer ring. This electron doesn't remain free for long, since the positive silicon/boron plate draws it into the open spot on its own outer band. As the sun's photons break off more electrons, electricity is generated. The electricity generated by one solar cell is not very impressive, but when all of the conductive wires draw the free electrons away from the plates, there is enough electricity to power low amperage motors or other electronics. Whatever electrons are not used or lost to the air are returned to the negative plate and the entire process begins again.

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