SOLAR SYSTEM: What is it?

Active solar power is different from passive solar, first because sun is actually being collected and converted into a different energy source.

What are solar panels?

Solar Panels are a form of active solar power, a term that describes how solar panels make use of the sun's energy: solar panels harvest sunlight and actively convert it to electricity. Solar Cells, or photovoltaic cells, are arranged in a grid-like pattern on the surface of the solar panel. These solar voltaic cells collect sunlight during the daylight hours and covert it into electricity. Solar panels which are solar photovoltaic (solar - electric), i.e. produce electricity (or convert the solar light energy to electrical) directly usually do have solar cells. Solar cells are the building blocks of the solar electric (photovoltaic) systems.

The solar cell by definition is the smallest technical device that on its own can convert solar light energy in to electricity.

The solar module (hold on for the solar panel definition) is the smallest, most basic component

that in addition to being able to convert light to electricity also is environmentally protected and has the physical configuration to be mounted in a useful practical photovoltaic solution. I.e. solar cell, yes, you can use to produce electric energy form sunlight but you can not readily place outside exposed to the elements and conveniently connect to rest of the electric circuit of your system. While modules consist (usually) of cells and are meant to be completely enclosed in proper materials (usually frame and long term sealants) to be protected from the elements and have electric leads out ready to be connected to a standard photovoltaic circuit.

Solar panels are usually the solar modules themselves (in most cases) but the definition for them is that they are also either one module or several, assembled for proper mechanical mounting.

Again in 99% of the cases a module is also a panel - i.e. having both the characteristics of being environmentally isolated and build in a manner ready to be mounted connected to a photovoltaic circuit.

Now when we said modules and panels in most cases consist of cells, what we meant is there are technologies of solar panels/modules in which the cell is not an easily identifiable separate component. This is the the case of all of the kinds of thin-film modules. In them the cells are practically intangible or invisible or at least visibly inseparable and are built as a monolith structure of the panel/module.

Have in mind we started also the answer with saying this is only for solar photovoltaic. Things are very different for solar thermal (electric) and also different for solar thermal (water and air heating).

What are solar panels made of?

Solar panels are typically constructed with cystalline silicon, which is used in other industries (such as the microprocessor industry), and the more expensive gallium arsenide, which is produced exclusively for use in photovoltaic (solar) cells. Other, more efficient solar panels are assembled by depositing amorphous silicon alloy in a continuous roll-to-roll process. The solar cells created from this process are called Amorphous

Silicon Solar Cells, or A-si. Solar Panels constructed using amorphous silicon technology are more durable, efficient, and thinner than their crystalline counterparts. For very important solar projects, such as space probes that have to rely on solar energy, veryhigh efficiency solar cells are constructed from gallium arsenide by a process called molecular beam epitaxy. Solar cells constructed by this process have several p-n junction diodes, each designed to be maximally efficient at absorbing a given part of the solar spectrum. This solar panels are much more efficient than conventional types, but the process and materials involved make them far too expensive for everyday applications. The newest solar panels function on the molecular or quantum level, and represent an exciting new technology coming into play. These solar panels are created by implanting carbon nanotubes or quantum dots into a treated plastic. Unlike silicon-based solar panels, these solar panels do not have to be constructed in a clean room, and therefore production costs are somewhat dimished. For continued instruction in the manufacture of solar panels, see How solar panels are made. The practical applications of solar panels constructed from plastics are staggering - they could be overlayed onto a laptop screen to provide continous power, or provide supplemental power to any number of outdoor appliances. The primary hurdle for this new technology is efficiency, and these 'plastic' solar panels have an operational efficiency of about .11% of their silicon-based counterparts. The only short-term solution to this energy problem is for these plastic solar panels to generate electricity from light outside the visible spectrum of light. Some highly-experimental plastic solar panels have been made to absorb infrared energy, and if a solar panel is made that can absorb both infrared energy and light from the visible spectrum, the operational efficiency could increase up to thirty percent.

How much power do solar panels produce?

In direct sunlight at the surface of the equator, a maximally efficient photovoltaic cell about 1/5m in diameter creates a current of approximately 2 amps at 2 volts, however, due to the Earth's atmospheric interference, terran solar panels will never perform as well as solar panels exposed directly to the sun's rays.

Years of overheating and physical wear can, however, reduce the operation efficiency of the photovoltaic unit. Solar cells become less efficient over time, and excess energy is released into its thermally conductive substrate as infrared heat. The amount of power solar panels produce is influenced by the quality of the solar panel, the materials and technology used in making the solar panel, and the amount of time the solar panel has been in use. When purchasing solar panels, it is therefore wise to look beyond size and look at the dollars/watt ratio.

Where does solar energy come from?

Solar energy originates in the depths of our sun. The sun endures a continuous stream of thermonuclear explosions as hydrogen atoms are fused into helium atoms. We encounter the resultant energy as radiation that strikes the surface of the earth. Solar panels convert this solar radiation into useful electrical energy and store them in batteries for our use. Enough solar radiation strikes the earth every day to meet earth's energy needs for an entire year. Solar panels help us harvest this energy and convert it into usable energy to meet the everyday needs of modern life.

Uses and Functions of Active Solar:

Applications for active solar energy include heating swimming pools, domestic hot water use, ventilation and industrial process air and water for commercial facilities such as laundries, car washes and fitness centers.

Active solar technologies are employed to convert solar energy into usable heat, cause air-movement for ventilation or cooling, or store heat for future use.

How do Solar Panels Work?

Active solar systems use solar collectors and additional electricity to power pumps or fans to distribute the sun's energy.

The heart of a solar collector is a black absorber which converts the sun's energy into heat.

The heat is then transferred to another location for immediate heating or for storage for use later.

The heat is transferred by circulating water, antifreeze or sometimes air.

How the pipes transfer and transport the heat:

Solar compared to Non-renewables:

It is a lot cheaper to use. It is not subjected to the cost of gasoline. It supports job growth and new business. It keeps your house or business running even when there is a power outage. It decreases the harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

It reduces our dependence on foreign oil It also healthier to use than gas and other non-renewables It is much cleaner to use than gas or coal which saves the environment

Where is Active Solar being used:

Active Solar energy is able to be used anywhere where there is sun, though it is most popular in the west and southern states. In Las Vegas Active Solar energy is used in many pools saving thousands of dollars on electricity bills. Actually producing enough energy to power 40,000 homes Unfortunately a lot of communities wont accept Solar Power as an energy source

ADVANTAGES:
Independence of oil, gas and utility grid Most economic operation (very low running costs) Unintended operation (normally no operation personal is required) Long lifetime (only the batteries must be changed every 5 8 years) No pollution, no noise, no dirt