What are solar panels?

So you have heard the buzz about the benefits of solar energy and fancy reducing your electricity bills , whilst also doing your bit for the environment. Well now is definitely a good time to give the sun a shot, but where do you get started? Well firstly you need to get your very own solar panels.

Yes, but what are they? Well solar panels are devices that catch the sun’s rays, and manage to convert this light into electricity. A group of solar cells (similar to the one that runs your solar-powered wristwatch or calculator) are laid out over a large space to capture sunlight.
The basic principle is: the more cells hit by light, the more electricity is produced. Straightforward and uncomplicated, solar panels immediately convert light and heat into energy which then powers your home’s appliances.

How do solar panels work?

Whether it’s the single solar cell found in your wristwatch or the multitude of solar panels atop your roof, solar energy is generated in essentially the same way. Through the principles of photovoltaics, heat and light from the sun is transformed into usable energy and electricity to power appliances, heat water and even to make a car run.

A solar panel is basically a sandwich made of two layers of silicon. When photons of sunlight hit the panel, the electrons in the silicon panel get ‘excited’ and move around, until they eventually get knocked off their place and move through the attached current and connecting wires. Thus, electricity is generated as the current finally enters a battery or power generation device.

Types of solar panels

There are three main types of solar panels, all of which are based on silicon as a semiconductor. The only difference between these three types is the form that the silicon is in. However, this variation causes differences in efficiency, size and price. So it’s important to know the types of solar panels when it comes to choosing the right one for you.

Monocrystalline solar panels are made from thin silicon layers sliced from large crystals. These relatively larger cells are laid out side-by-side in a panel. This type is perfect for maximizing the solar energy gathered in a limited space, or when you want to limit the size of your solar panel installations for aesthetic reasons. On the downside, production costs for growing large silicon crystals is quite high, which means this type of solar panel is a little more expensive than the other kinds.

On the other hand, polycrystalline solar panels are cheaper than its monocrystalline counterpart. It takes a less-controlled environment, and thus lower production cost, to create silicone in polycrystalline form. Although less efficient in terms of pound-per-watt calculations, polycrystalline cells are a good-enough alternative and are priced much more competitively.

Contrary to the previous two types of solar panels that come in the form of a grid or crystal lattice, amorphous silicon panels are made of very thin flexible layers. This type of panel can bend over roofs and can even be rolled up and put away when not needed. Though still not as efficient as the monocrystalline type, amorphous solar panels can still do the job quite well. Once mass production of the amorphous type is possible, its price could go substantially lower.

Are solar panels expensive?

Solar panels can be quite an investment, but the good news is they can pay themselves off in a few years. The monocrystalline kind is the most expensive and also has the highest lifespan of over 25 years. However, for a typical household’s energy requirements, polycrystalline panels get the job done. You should expect to shell out quite a hefty sum to solar-power your house. However, with the reduction in your electricity bill and the fact that you are helping the environment in the process, going solar is definitely a good idea. It is something those expensive Italian mosaic tiles or a kitchen renovation can’t do.

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