How Solar Energy Works
When sunlight shines onto solar panels, it is transformed into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverters converts that DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity — the type that is used in your home.
How PV Cells Turn Sunlight into Electricity
PV cells have materials that are ionized by light to produce electricity. PV cells have two types of material: p-type and n-type silicon. Light of specific wavelengths ionize the atoms in the silicon (causing atoms to either gain or lose electrons) and the internal field produced by the junction separates some of the positive charges (“holes”) from the negative charges (electrons) within the photovoltaic device. The holes are swept into the positive or p-layer and the electrons are swept into the negative or n-layer. Although these opposite charges are attracted to each other, most of them can only recombine by passing through an external circuit outside the material because of the internal potential energy barrier. If a circuit is made, electric power is produced from the cells under light because the free electrons pass through the load to recombine with the positive holes.
A silicon solar cell that converted 6% of sunlight falling onto it into electricity was developed by Chapin, Pearson and Fuller in 1954. This kind of cell was used in specialized applications such as orbiting space satellites from 1958.
Today's commercially available silicon solar cells have efficiencies of about 18% of the sunlight falling on to them into electricity, at a fraction of the price of thirty years ago. There are now a variety of methods for the practical production of silicon solar cells (amorphous, single crystal, polycrystalline), as well as solar cells made from other materials (copper indium diselenide, cadmium telluride, etc).
Because solar systems are passive and have few moving parts, the systems last for many years. In that way, what you pay for your solar system today is the total amount you will pay for all of the the energy the system will produce for the next 30+ years. In essence, your cost of electricity becomes fixed!
Imagine having the opportunity to fix the cost of gasoline, groceries, heating oil or other consumables for the next 30+ years. Installing a solar system is your chance to lock in the cost of electricity now and profit from the rise in electric rates for the next 30+ years.
ACT NOW and state financial incentives with federal tax credits can cover 30% of the cost of your residential PV system and even more for your business!
Call 951-296-9644 today for a free site evaluation or click here to put the Power of the Sun to Work for You!
Get Started TODAY...
Click here or call for a FREE site evaluation:
951.296.9644