Monday, 8 December 2008

How Solar Panels Work

How Solar Panels Work
Solar panels are a simple way to increase your dependency on environmentally-friendly energy. By understanding how solar panels work, you could begin saving the planet and saving money. This is a brief synopsis of the process and benefits. The process of how solar panels work is not overly complicated. The solar panels consist of several photovoltaic panels which are made from silicon and non-reflective glass. The sun emits photons, which are then collected by the photovoltaic panels, and converted into usable energy. This energy is in the form of DC electric power. This power is sent to an inverter which changes the DC power into AC electric power and voltage which is usable in households. This is the simple explanation. Silicon plays a crucial role in the gathering of usable renewable energy; however, the explanation of silicon's role is far more complicated. Many solar energy facts may influence your decision to make the switch. One of the greatest advantages of using solar panels is to reduce your electricity bills, as well as to reduce your dependency on non-renewable energy. If you live in an area where the number of cloudy days exceeds the number of sunny days, it may not be beneficial for you to use solar panels. You would need to conduct your own cost analysis of savings and expenses to determine the true viability of such a project in your home or office. If you live in a sunny location, using solar panels may enhance your vested interest. By using solar panels, you will reduce your dependency on non-renewable energy. This has a number of benefits. It should be noted that non-renewable energy is considered any energy source which has the potential of becoming completely depleted by over-consumption, or rather once the energy source is used, it can never be recreated. Renewable energy, such as solar energy, is recreated on a daily basis making it a viable long-term solution. As long as you live in a relatively sunny region of the world, you will recoup your expenses through low electricity bills in the matter of a few years, in most cases. Also, solar cells often last a lifetime, and the solar panels are incredibly low maintenance. Now that you understand the gist of how solar panels work and the benefits, you will be able to make an educated decision on whether or not they are right for you.