Solar Cells: How Do They Work?

SOLAR CELLS WHO KNEW THEY WERE THIS COOL? The sun is one of the best multi-taskers in the universe (no pun intended). In addition to helping you achieve a great tan while simultane- ously heating your summer pool, the sun also does this little thing known as generating solar energy. Here's how it works. WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE "SOLAR CELLS"? The official science ame: PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) CELLS Solar cells come The most together to form a solar panel common type of solar cell is made from silicon electricity sunlight Semiconducting elements turn sunlight into electricity glass anti-reflective coat semi- conductor ...BUT HOW DOES IT ALL WORK? Particles of light generate a flow of electricity positive energy negative energy The top layer of silicon gets extra electrons and the bottom layer of silicon gets fewer electrons Add sunshine to the mix energy Eureka! In the words of Jesse Pinkman, SCIENCE! HOW DO WE HARNESS THE POWER OF THE SUN? Using solar tools such as an inverter moves power from the solar panels to the breaker box - you know, that thing where you flip all the switches when the power goes out. inverter PV array to main 1234 to appliances supply main fusebox meter VOILA! This not-so-magical process powers your lights and appliances (although feel free to tell your kids it's magic). UTILITY METER The most b-o-r-i-n-g solar tool ever. 0000 JOB DESCRIPTION: Measures energy. Yawn. It's nocturnal - it uses excess solar energy to balance energy used at night. It also directs unused solar energy back through the solar grid. We're not sure what's worse waiting in line at the DMV or being a utility meter. Through the power of SCIENCE, solar cells convert sunlight into electricity - bringing power to homes around the world. Now THAT'S cool. http://www.elementscapitalgroup.com/ http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/so- E ELEMENTS lar-cell5.html https://pureenergies.com/us/how-solar-works/how-solar-pan- els-work/ CAPITAL GROUP http://www.solarcity.com/commercial/how-does-solar-energy-work http://www.freepik.com