Solar farms across Australia use solar panels to trap and convert the sun;s energy into electricity that is then either resold to the power grid or distributed across homes and offices. But how do these solar panels work and what are they made of? You can learn more about the same below as well as see some of the benefits of these solar panels for our environment.
How Do Solar Panels Generate Electricity
- Solar panels first trap the sun’s rays as they strike the semiconductor material of the panels. This semiconductor material is often silicone that absorbs the sun’s rays and creates solar cells.
- Once the sun’s rays are absorbed by this solar panel, the semiconductor material releases electrons that create an electrical field across these panels.
- This electric field then attracts the electrons and they start moving in a particular direction on the solar panels.
- This movement of the electrons across the electrical field creates an electric current which is trapped and stored by the solar panels.
- This electric current is in the form of direct current which is then trapped inside an inverter and converted into alternating current that is suitable for use across homes and workplaces in Australia.
- This electricity is then either resold to the power grid in a process that is known as net metering or distributed across homes and offices.
What Are Solar Panels Made From
Solar panels consist of solar cells that are strung together to create a solar module. These modules are then joined together to create a solar panel array which creates high amounts of power and electricity. On solar farms across Australia, you will find two types of solar panels that are monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. In a monocrystalline panel, there are single crystals of silicone cells whereas in polycrystalline panels there are multiple crystals of silicone. Monocrystalline solar panels are more effective in converting solar energy but are also more costly in the long run.
Besides these solar panels, there are also concentrated solar power systems that use big mirrors and lenses to direct solar energy onto a particular spot and thus generate heat. This heat can then be used to create electricity for distribution across homes and offices in Australia.
Benefits Of Solar Panels
Solar panels come with a wide range of benefits like being able to produce electricity during peak demand times and also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants in the environment. These solar panels may be costly to set up in the short run but will provide many price benefits in the long run as it will help save energy and electricity related issues.
Solar panels in fact have become more efficient now and are able to convert at least 20% of the sun’s rays into electricity. The best part is that you can set these up anywhere you like including rooftops of homes or on large-scale farms and start generating a renewable source of energy.
Conclusion
Thus solar panels work using the solar cells in the semiconductor material and create an electric current that helps power offices and homes across Australia.
