PV solar power is different from other types. Of the two major categories of solar energy, active and passive, PV solar energy is active. Let us take a look at it.
Solar Panel
Active solar energy relies on solar panels. You may picture them as flat, rectangular boxes on rooftops.
You will find two main types of solar panel. From a distance, both appear to be rectangular boxes. Both convert rays from the sun into electrical power, but in 2 totally different ways. The terms for the two solar panel types are solar thermal collector and photovoltaic module.
1. Solar thermal collector: This solar panel takes in solar power from the sun and utilizes it to heat air and water.
2. Photovoltaic module: This 2nd kind of solar panel collects solar energy and converts it to usable electricity.
Meet the PV
To answer the question, what is PV solar energy, we must know what the PV is. The quick reply is that PV pertains to a photovoltaic module. "P" is actually for photo and "V" for voltaic.
In simple terms, "photo" refers to sunlight and "voltaic" refers to electrical power. PV panels convert sunlight into electric power. Rays from the sun flows into the solar panel. Electric energy flows out of the solar panel.
A PV solar panel is made up of many photovoltaic (light to volts) cells. These specific cells are electrically linked, and then covered with glass. The glass supplies electrical insulation. It's also good safety from weather conditions and other damaging forces.
When minimal energy is needed, similar to that needed to power a smaller electrical device, a single PV solar panel is enough. When much more power is needed, an "array" of solar panels is created by attaching panels to one another. If the power won't be supplied to the power grid, the solar panel(s) is linked to a charge controller, and battery. When it is meant for on-grid use, the solar panel array would be connected to an electrical inverter.
What Is PV Solar Power?
Conventional silicon solar panels convert roughly 14 to 17 percent of daylight into usable electrical power. That is not much. Late in 2006, though, a new solar cell was introduced. Solar panels that utilize the brand new cell can transform into electrical energy twenty two percent of the daylight they collect. Theoretically, the maximum that the cells of a solar panel can convert is claimed to be about 26 to 27 percent of incoming sunlight.
How does it actually work? Let's take a look at a really simple explanation.
Every photovoltaic cell in a PV solar panel is a semiconductor. When sunlight hits those cells, a specific part of the sunlight is absorbed by those silicon cells. The cells absorb that part of the daylight's power. The cells then transfer the absorbed daylight's energy to the electrons in the silicon. The electrons begin to circulate, and this generates an electrical current. Steel contacts built into the top and backside of the PV cells draw off that current and it's dispatched to the grid or battery. It is now usable electricity. The power grid sends it on its way, if you have used an on-grid connection. In case you are using a battery, it's stored within the battery awaiting your need.
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