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What is PV solar power? You have heard the term, but you might be unsure as to its meaning. You are vaguely aware that solar power has one thing to do with making energy from sunlight. But what is PV photo voltaic power? Is it different from different kinds of solar power?

PV solar power is completely different from different types. Of the two main classes of photo voltaic power, lively and passive, PV solar energy is active. Let’s look at it.

Solar Panel

Active solar energy relies on photo voltaic panels. You may picture them as flat, rectangular containers on rooftops.

There are two main varieties of solar panel. From a distance, both appear like rectangular boxes. Both convert sunlight into energy, however in two totally different ways. The terms for the 2 solar panel varieties are solar thermal collector and photovoltaic module.

1. Solar thermal collector: This photo voltaic panel takes in solar vitality from the sun and makes use of it to warmth air or water.

2. Photovoltaic module: This second sort of photo voltaic panel collects solar energy and converts it to usable electricity.

Meet the PV

To answer the question, what is PV solar power, we must know what the PV is. The short answer is that PV refers to a photovoltaic module. “P” is for photo and “V” for voltaic.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines “photovoltaic” this way.

“of, relating to, or using the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances.”

In less complicated terms, “photo” refers to sunlight and “voltaic” refers to electrical energy. PV panels convert daylight into electrical energy. Sunlight flows into the photo voltaic panel. Electrical energy flows out of the solar panel.

A PV solar panel is made up of many photovoltaic (light to volts) cells. These cells are electrically connected, and then covered with glass. The glass supplies electrical insulation. It can also be good protection from weather and other damaging forces.

When minimal vitality is needed, reminiscent of that essential to power a small appliance, a single PV photo voltaic panel is sufficient. When more energy is needed, an “array” of solar panels is created by connecting panels to 1 another. If the power will not be supplied to the facility grid, the photo voltaic panel(s) is connected to a cost controller, and battery. If it is intended for on-grid use, the photo voltaic panel array can be connected to an electrical inverter.

What Is PV Solar Power?

PV solar power is solar power in the form of sunlight, which has been collected by a photovoltaic module, and converted into usable electricity.

Conventional silicon solar panels convert about 14 to 17 percent of sunlight into usable electricity. That is not much. Late in 2006, however, a new solar cell was introduced. Solar panels that utilize the brand new cell can convert into electricity 22 % of the daylight they collect. Theoretically, the utmost that the cells of a photo voltaic panel can convert is said to be around 26 to 27 percent of incoming sunlight.

How does it work? Let’s take a look at a very simple explanation.

Each photovoltaic cell in a PV solar panel is a semiconductor. When sunlight hits those cells, a certain a part of the sunlight is absorbed by these silicon cells. The cells absorb that a part of the sunlight’s energy. The cells then transfer the absorbed sunlight’s power to the electrons within the silicon. The electrons begin to flow, and this creates an electrical current. Metal contacts constructed into the top and bottom of the PV cells draw off that current and it is sent to the grid or battery. It is now usable electricity. The energy grid sends it on its way, if in case you have used an on-grid connection. If you might be using a battery, it is stored within the battery awaiting your need.

PV solar power is getting used increasingly with great success, and while it is true that cloud cover can affect it, the cloudy nation of Germany leads the world in profitable use of solar panels.

Energy is Life. Save energy and money through our solar energy information. Visit us at solar energy pictures for more information on solar energy advantages.