Solar Cells and Panels

Published by total obliteration
July 24, 2009, Category: Technology

Uses and production.

Solar Cells

Solar Cells are devices that convert sunlight into electrical energy that humans can use. Solar panels are already being put up today and tested. Although some solar panels are expensive they are better use that using fossil fuels to power our homes and vehicles. Solar panels are usually put on top of the home for most efficiency or on top of a car. To power up the vehicle or home the panels stay on all day and convert the sunlight into energy.

Founder of the Solar Cell

What Solar Cells Are Made Of

Solar cells are made out of special materials called semiconductors. The most common semiconductors used in solar cells are silicon and copper. The solar cells are coated with these semiconductors to provide the best efficiency of sunlight conversion. The panels are coated with silicon and the wires are coated with copper. The better the sunlight conversion means there is more energy available for use.

How Solar Cells Work

Solar Cells take the energy from the sun and convert it into electrical energy. As light strikes the solar panels a certain portion of that light is transferred onto the semiconductor. The electrons then flow freely to a certain source in one direction. That is where the energy is then stored for further use. This process is done mainly during the day because the sun is out, the energy is then used during the night to power up whatever the person needs.

Uses for Solar Cells

Solar cells are used mostly in calculators but in the future solar cells will power our homes and our vehicles. Some homes have solar panels put up already and have their own energy being made. Having your own energy greatly reduces the cost for electricity because the generating electricity flows backwards to the company. NASA is using solar cells in space to power their satellites; these satellites are in space most of the time so they receive a constant energy from the sun.

How Solar Cells/Panels Are Created

First step in making solar cells are cutting crystalline silicon into thin disks. Then the disks are coated with a semiconductor (copper/silicon). During this process the cells are glossed so that they don’t receive any damage when working. After that the conductors are aligned in a “grid like way”. Finally a thin layer of glass is put over the top of the panels to protect from any damage. The solar panel is connected to thermally conductive cement which cools down the panels and prevents them from overheating.

How Solar Cells Might Help to Save Humanity

As of now humans are using fossil fuels which are destroying the Earth’s atmosphere and polluting the world. Solar cells would replace fossil fuels and probably save the Earth from catastrophe. As humans continue to use fossil fuels the ozone layer deteriorates and because of that glaciers in Alaska will melt. As the glaciers melt the water level will go up and because of that there are many chances of a natural disaster of happening. There is a very strong possibility that if humans don’t switch to a different source of energy the world as we know it may be destroyed.

Cost to Buy Solar Panels

There are a different variety of things that a solar panel can charge, for instance batteries or even a house. The cost of a solar panel all depend on their size and how much power they can convert. Solar panels convert .45 volts or 45 milliwatts of electricity per square inch. The price of the solar panels will run someone ten to twelve dollars per watt. A solar powered home would probably run someone ten to twenty thousand dollars. It sounds expensive but solar electricity is supposed to pay for itself in no time.

Problems with Solar Power

There are few problems that can come when buying or making solar panels. First of the problems are that some solar panels cost a lot of money to make. Another problem would be is that solar panels only convert a certain amount of energy into power. Most families in America would have trouble buying a solar panel for their home because of the price. Most Americans stick to fossil fuels as it is cheap but it is very quickly depleting. Very soon Americans are going to have to make a choice for a new source of fuel. If a change isn’t made soon there will be problems.

Types of Solar Cells

There are many types of solar cells or panels, some cheap and some expensive. Amorphous solar cells are one of the few solar cells these cells are used in small technology such as calculators. Crystalline solar cells are one of the bigger versions of the amorphous solar cells. The crystalline cells are used in the solar panels in homes as it provides more energy for being bigger. There are many other types of solar cells but one of the main solar cells are photovoltaic cells.

Extra

Solar cells are great but they come with many drawbacks. On one hand they can be used to replace fossil fuels. On the other hand they cost a lot to make and repair. The installation of the solar panel isn’t cheap either. But when installed it can save you money in the long run. Solar cells are both good and bad as there are many ways of looking at them.