How Solar PV Works

Most people are aware that we can get energy from the sun to heat our homes. This alternative and renewable source of energy has always been there, but it is only now that it is becoming more widely used and harnessed.

While you may have heard of solar energy, what is solar PV? What does it mean and how does it work? Let's take a look.

The Meaning of Solar PV

Solar PV stands for solar photovoltaic. The main issue with using energy from the sun is that it doesn't come to us in a usable form. We can feel the heat from the sun's rays and we can see the light it produces. But we need to convert that energy into a form we can use around our homes and businesses so we can use it regularly.

This is where photovoltaic cells come in. The big solar panels used on various apartment buildings and other businesses are essentially the same as the small panels you see which form part of a solar powered calculator. It is simply the same technology used in a much bigger and more powerful way.

Every photovoltaic cell is capable of absorbing the light sent down by the sun. A cell of this nature is a semi-conductor. When this light is absorbed it is channeled into the semi-conductor where it transforms into an electric field. This is electricity - just the same as we use in our home and working lives already.

How Many Solar Cells Do You Need on a Building?

You will have more than one solar cell since the size of a cell is quite small. Solar panels use a number of solar cells built into the same panel to absorb as much light from the sun as possible. So strictly speaking there is no magic number - the more solar panels you can have, the more electricity you can produce from the sun.

It is possible to produce all the electricity you need in this way. It all depends on the size of the building, the amount of electricity used and the number of solar PV panels used on the roof. Needless to say, big savings are there to be made for the long term.

How are Solar PV Cells are Protected?

Solar panels house the PV cells themselves, to protect them from potential damage. Since they are out in the elements all the time, facing the sun in the best possible position you can get them in, they need to be able to withstand all kinds of weather conditions, including rain, snow, heavy winds and hail.

Manufacturers build solar panels to be long lasting, designed to accomplish the specific job they are designed for. Given the cost of a PV system, they cannot be viewed as a short-term purchase. Systems are designed to last for 25 years or more.