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PV solar power is different from other kinds. Of the two primary categories of solar power, active and passive, PV solar power is active. Let's appear at it.

Solar Panel

Active solar power relies on solar panels. You m...

What is PV solar power? You have heard the term, but you are unsure as to its meaning. You are vaguely aware that solar power has some thing to do with making power from sunlight. But what is PV solar power? Is it diverse from other types of solar power?

PV solar power is different from other kinds. Of the two principal categories of solar power, active and passive, PV solar power is active. Let's appear at it.

Solar Panel

Active solar power relies on solar panels. You may picture them as flat, rectangular boxes on rooftops.

There are two main kinds of solar panel. From a distance, both appear like rectangular boxes. Each convert sunlight into power, but in two distinct techniques. The terms for the two solar panel kinds 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 or water.

2. Photovoltaic module: This second type of solar panel collects solar energy and converts it to usable electricity.

Meet the PV

To answer the question, what is PV solar power, we should know what the PV is. The brief answer is that PV refers to a photovoltaic module. "P" is for photo and "V" for voltaic.

The Merriam-Webster On the internet Dictionary defines "photovoltaic" this way.

"of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances."

In simpler terms, "photo" refers to sunlight and "voltaic" refers to electrical energy. PV panels convert sunlight into electrical energy. Sunlight flows into the solar panel. Electrical energy flows out of the solar panel.

A PV solar panel is created up of a lot of photovoltaic (light to volts) cells. These cells are electrically connected, and then covered with glass. The glass gives electrical insulation. It is also very good protection from weather and other damaging forces.

When minimal energy is needed, such as that required to power a small appliance, a single PV solar panel is sufficient. When a lot more power is required, an "array" of solar panels is created by connecting panels to one one more. If the power will not be supplied to the power grid, the solar panel(s) is connected to a charge controller, and battery. If it is intended for on-grid use, the solar panel array will be connected to an electrical inverter.

What Is PV Solar Power?

PV solar power is solar energy in the form of sunlight, which has been collected by a photovoltaic module, and converted into usable electricity.

Standard silicon solar panels convert about 14 to 17 percent of sunlight into usable electricity. That is not significantly. Late in 2006, nevertheless, a new solar cell was introduced. Solar panels that make use of the new cell can convert into electricity 22 percent of the sunlight they collect. Theoretically, the maximum that the cells of a solar panel can convert is mentioned to be around 26 to 27 percent of incoming sunlight.

How does it operate? Let's look at a really basic explanation.

Every photovoltaic cell in a PV solar panel is a semiconductor. When sunlight hits those cells, a certain portion of the sunlight is absorbed by those silicon cells. The cells take in that part of the sunlight's power. The cells then transfer the absorbed sunlight's power to the electrons in the silicon. The electrons begin to flow, and this creates an electrical current. Metal contacts built into the top and bottom of the PV cells draw off that existing and it is sent to the grid or battery. It is now usable electricity. The power grid sends it on its way, if you have utilised an on-grid connection. If you are utilizing a battery, it is stored in the battery awaiting your want.

PV solar power is becoming used increasingly with excellent success, and whilst it is true that cloud cover can impact it, the cloudy nation of Germany leads the planet in profitable use of solar panels. open in a new browser window article open in a new browser window