Solar panels are made of a special material that can create a voltage when the electrons inside the material have enough energy. So when the sunlight falls on the solar panel, the light gives the electrons in the material enough energy to generate an electrical current… that then gets cleaned up and put straight into the grid to power our homes, or it gets put into a battery that can be used when we need it
Stephanie has snuck in just before me! Her answer is great, but one thing I’d like to add is that some solar panels convert the light into heat energy rather than a voltage (electrical current). This type of solar panel is often used to heat water, but they are less common than the solar panel type which Stephanie has explained.
Some solar panels are made of special materials that absorb high energy particles called photons from the sun. These are called Solar Photovoltaic cells, because they produce an electrical voltage when the sun shines on them. Other solar panels absorb thermal (heat) energy from the sun because they are darkly coloured. This heat is then pumped away through wiggly pipes (replacing warm water with more cold water) like you have in your radiator. These can be used to heat your water in your hot water tank for your shower in the morning. Combining PV units with a cooling network of pipes can work even better!
Sorry – got me on that one – I am an agricultural and environmental scientist – say my knowledge is basis. Inside a panel you have photvoltaic cells – sorry about spelling – when sunlight falls on the they get excited and you get elections moving in the cells and and sunlight turned into electrical energy
Yes you’re right Aileen. And actually, it’s more efficient to turn light into heat so sometimes solar panels these are installed on house roofs to save on heating bills. Unfortunately you can’t do anything with the heat you don’t use, unlike electricity!
Comments
Stephanie commented on :
Yes you’re right Aileen. And actually, it’s more efficient to turn light into heat so sometimes solar panels these are installed on house roofs to save on heating bills. Unfortunately you can’t do anything with the heat you don’t use, unlike electricity!