Solar Energy How It Works Ks3

Step by step overview solar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells generating direct current dc energy and then converting it to usable alternating current ac energy with the help of inverter technology.

Solar energy how it works ks3.

As technology has improved solar power costs have decreased and it has become a more viable alternative competing with energy sources such as coal and oil. The sun s light and all light contains energy. Ac energy then flows through the home s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly. To generate solar energy the photons radiated from the sun to earth must be collected converted into a usable format and then delivered to an electronic device or the electric grid.

Arrays of photovoltaic cells are normally used to collect the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. It is free and does not damage the environment. Solar cells convert the energy of photons from the sun into electricity. Each layer has different electronic properties that energise when hit by photons from sunlight creating an electric field.

The sun is a renewable energy resource. This causes a voltage to form between the top and the bottom layers of the cell. Solar energy has been used by humans for a long time for uses such as heating cooking food removing salt from seawater and drying clothes. Most electricity is made by burning fossil fuels which release carbon dioxide and pollution.

This converts the current into alternating current ac electricity. When the photon hits the top of the cell electrons will be attracted to the surface of the cell. These days it is also used to create electricity. An inverter is.

The ac current is then used to power the appliances in your home. But when light hits certain. The sun shines on the solar panels and the panels absorb the energy creating direct current dc electricity. Solar energy is a renewable source of energy.

Solar panels turn another part or wavelength of the light into electricity that can be harnessed. The electricity is fed into what is called a solar inverter. A photovoltaic cell pv cell produces electricity on the principle that electricity will be produced when two semiconductors are exposed to a particular wavelength of light. Solar panels are made out of photovoltaic cells which is why generating electricity with solar panels is also called solar pv that convert the sun s energy into electricity.

Is a device that converts light energy. Groups of pv cells are linked together to form panels the bigger the panel and the more cells the greater the amount of electricity can be produced.