User:Hgalaxy/sandbox/Solar panels

solar panels - solar photovoltaics
 * 1) REDIRECT alveissolar.blogspot.com

Solar panels are used to convert solar radiations into electricity. Solar panels consist of a number of solar cells. Each solar cell delivers about 0.5 volts. When these solar cells are connected in series, the voltages add up to a large enough value to charge a solar battery bank or by transformed into alternating current by a solar inverter .

There two main types of solar panel;

Monocrystalline solar panels:

the cells of monocrystalline solar panels are made of single crystals of silicon. This can be identified by the uniformity of the color of the cells. Monocrystalline cells are made from a thin slice or wafer cut from a single large crystal of silicon. The cells are then doped and the fine current collecting wires printed on or in the surface of the cell. Generally monocrystalline cells have the highest efficiency, but this comes at a price. this type of cell takes more energy to make than any other, and so has a greater energy payback period, though this is usually still within five years. Solar. (read more from manufacturers website)

Polycrystalline solar panels:

made by combining silicon crystals to make the cells. The color is usually not uniform

Monocrystalline solar panels are superior to polycrystalline solar panels because the monocrystalline solar panels absorb more energy per square millimeter than their polycrystalline counterparts.

Special type of solar panels

Solar roof tiles

made to blend with the corrugated roof of buildings

Amorphous/thin film solar panels

This type of solar panel is made to be able to fit in any surface and is easy to mount and less heavy but less efficient Amorphous/thin film panels involve deposition of very thin films of silicon or other materials directly onto a substrate such as glass or stainless steel. This technique produces a cell with a lower efficiency than the cut wafer varieties, but has the advantage of eliminating the need for inter-cell connections and heavy glass and aluminum frames. Thus they are easy to move around and easy to mount on any surface. some amorphous or thin film solar panels acheive efficiency of about 22.6%

transparent solar panels:

this type of solar panel makes it possible for solar panels to be placed on top of smartphone screens,wind screen of vehicles.The panels are said to be extremely affordable with the application of a thin plastic material able to harvest light is obvious (car windows, smartphones displays, and home windows immediately come to mind or even the body of skyscrapers). The only real downside is in the efficiency of the panels which are only able to capture somewhere around 1% of the light that passes through them. .

Surfaces where solar panels can be placed

Solar panels are being modified for different applications so that they can fit in many varied surfaces to supply the energy need in that area and also blend seamlessly to where ever it is being used. Such as

solar panel on Cars/ vehicles

the panels blend in with the roof of the car and does not bring any cause for concern. solar panel on Communication satellites

solar panel on buildings Buildings

The solar panels serve the energy need of the buildings and even adds to its aesthetics.

solar panel on Airplanes

solar panel on Electronic devices like smartphones and calculators

These are micro solar panels providing little amounts of energy just for the electronic devices they are placed on

solar panel on Sea vessels

solar panel on Public structures

solar panel on Clothing

These are made of flexible solar cells. These types of solar cells can provide small amounts of energy enough for charging smartphones, pda etc ...