The principles of solar electricity

A solar panel generates electricity using the ‘photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon discovered in the early 19th Century, when it was observed that certain materials produced an electric current when exposed to light.

To create this effect, two layers of a semi-conducting material have to be combined. One layer has to have a depleted number of electrons. When exposed to sunlight, some of the photons are absorbed by the material which excites the electrons, causing some of them to ‘jump’ from one layer to the other. As the electrons move from one layer to another, a small electrical current is generated.

The semi-conducting material used to build a solar cell is silicon. Very thin wafers of silicon are cut and polished. Some of these wafers are then ‘doped’ to contaminate them, thereby creating an electron imbalance in these wafers.

The wafers are then aligned together to make a solar cell. Conductive metal strips are attached to the cells to take the electrical current.

When a photon hit the solar cell, it can do one of three things: it can be absorbed by the cell, be reflected off the cell or pass straight through the cell.

If a photon is absorbed by the silicon, this causes some of the electrons to ‘jump’ from one layer to another. An electrical circuit is made as the electrons move from one layer to another, creating an electrical current.

The more photons (i.e. the greater intensity of light) that are absorbed by the solar cell, the greater the current generated.

Solar cells generate most of their electricity from direct sunlight. They can also generate electricity on cloudy days – and some systems can even generate very small amounts of electricity on bright moonlit nights.

Individual solar cells typically only generate tiny amounts of electrical energy. To make useful amounts of electricity, these cells are connected together to make a solar module, otherwise known as a solar panel or, to be more precise, a photovoltaic module.

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Solar Electricity and The Environment

Solar power systems are low carbon electricity generators: the sunlight is free and the system maintenance is extremely low.

There is a carbon footprint associated with the manufacture of solar panels, and in the past this footprint has been quite high – mainly due to the relatively small volumes of panels being manufactured and chemicals required for the ‘doping’ of the silicon in the panels.

Thanks to improved manufacturing techniques and the higher volumes of panels now being produced, the carbon footprint of solar panels is now significantly reduced. Most manufacturers claim the carbon footprint of new solar panels can be recouped through the power generation from the panels within 2-5 years.

Therefore, it is true to say that solar power system that runs as a complete stand alone system can reduce our carbon footprint.

Grid tied solar systems are slightly different in their environmental benefit and their environmental payback varies quite dramatically from region to region, depending on a number of factors:

• How electricity is generated by the utilities in your area (coal, gas,
• Whether or not your electricity generation coincides with the peak electricity demand in your area (such as air conditioning usage in hot climates, or high electrical usage by heavy industry in your area)

It is therefore much more difficult to put an accurate environmental perspective, you should try to achieve the following:

Use the power you generate yourself as it is being generated – especially for high load applications such as clothes washing

• Minimise your power consumption from the national utility grid during peak times (typically during the evening in cooler climates and during the early to mid afternoon in hotter climates).

In Conclusion

• Solar electricity can be a great source of power where your power requirements are modest, there is no other source of electricity easily available and you have a good amount of sunshine available.
• Solar electricity is not the same as solar heating.
• Solar electricity absorbs photons from sunlight to generate electricity. Electricity can still be generated on cloudy days and on bright moonlit nights.
• Solar electricity is unlikely to generate enough electricity to power the average family home, unless major economies in the household power requirements are made first.
• Larger solar electric systems have a comparatively high capital cost, but the ongoing maintenance costs are very low.
• Smaller solar electric system can actually be extremely cost effective to buy and install, even when compared to mains electricity.
• Solar electricity can be much cheaper than connecting a remote building to mains electricity.

Learn how to build your very own home solar power systems at the comfort of home today!

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