Solar power is produced either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP).
Concentrated solar power systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small beam.The concentrated heat is then used as a heat source for a conventional power plant.
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The most common form of solar energy generated and used is photovoltaic (PV) cells. Which convert sunlight directly in to electricity. A solar panel is a group of PV cells connected to each other and tied together into a frame. These frames are commonly grouped in large bunches to form solar arrays.
These PV cells are made up of materials called semiconductors, like silicon (most commonly used). When the sun hits these semiconductors the energy is absorbed. When energy is absorbed in to a superconductor the electrons in said superconductor are allowed to flow freely (through the photoelectric effect).
Pure silicon is not a great conductor, so impurities are added to it. Phosphorus is the most common impurity added as it has 5 (one more than silicon) electrons in its highest energy level causing many more electrons to be without a bond, so thus making them easier to knock loose. This layer is called N-type.
The second layer of silicon is unpurified by boron, which has 3 free electrons in its last energy shell (1 less than silicon). This causes it to have one open hole for the electrons previously knocked loose to move towards. This layer is called the P-type.
The magic happens where the N-type and P-type silicon mix. This point is called the junction. All the holes made by the P-type begin to fill in until electrons have a harder and harder time passing from layer to layer. Eventually the two sides reach equilibrium and an electric field is formed separating the two sides. This is where photons (light packets) begin knocking electrons out that are forced to flow from the N-type to the P-type but not back. This causes the electric neutrality to be broken and then.
This is where an external current path is needed. Electrons will flow through the path to the P side to unite with holes that the electric field sent there, creating electricity for us along the way.
The power crated by the system is direct current (DC), which changes with the sunlight's intensity. For practical use this must either have the DC voltage changed or change the DC in to AC (alternating current) through an inverter. This inverter is then connected to your fuse box. The fuse box delivers the power throughout your house, to a battery to be stored, and/or in to the city’s power meter, where you can be paid for the electricity you are providing the city.
These PV cells are made up of materials called semiconductors, like silicon (most commonly used). When the sun hits these semiconductors the energy is absorbed. When energy is absorbed in to a superconductor the electrons in said superconductor are allowed to flow freely (through the photoelectric effect).
Pure silicon is not a great conductor, so impurities are added to it. Phosphorus is the most common impurity added as it has 5 (one more than silicon) electrons in its highest energy level causing many more electrons to be without a bond, so thus making them easier to knock loose. This layer is called N-type.
The second layer of silicon is unpurified by boron, which has 3 free electrons in its last energy shell (1 less than silicon). This causes it to have one open hole for the electrons previously knocked loose to move towards. This layer is called the P-type.
The magic happens where the N-type and P-type silicon mix. This point is called the junction. All the holes made by the P-type begin to fill in until electrons have a harder and harder time passing from layer to layer. Eventually the two sides reach equilibrium and an electric field is formed separating the two sides. This is where photons (light packets) begin knocking electrons out that are forced to flow from the N-type to the P-type but not back. This causes the electric neutrality to be broken and then.
This is where an external current path is needed. Electrons will flow through the path to the P side to unite with holes that the electric field sent there, creating electricity for us along the way.
The power crated by the system is direct current (DC), which changes with the sunlight's intensity. For practical use this must either have the DC voltage changed or change the DC in to AC (alternating current) through an inverter. This inverter is then connected to your fuse box. The fuse box delivers the power throughout your house, to a battery to be stored, and/or in to the city’s power meter, where you can be paid for the electricity you are providing the city.