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A Closer Look At Solar Power Panels
from: Most people are familiar with the appearance of standard home and commercial solar power panels. What they don’t know, however, is how these devices work and what other forms they might come in. While it’s not uncommon to see panels affixed to roofs in residential neighborhoods, these are not the only forms out there.So, how do solar panels work?
While it’s true that solar panels can vary greatly in size, design and even overall appearance, these devices tend to all follow a few common themes as far as their creation goes. When the desire is to harness the power of the sun to energize a home, electronic appliance or even an entire commercial operation, solar power panels are generally designed to:
• Absorb the sun’s power – Solar panels and full solar arrays are created to absorb the sun’s photon energy. This is generally achieved through the use of silicon as the semiconducting material.
• Transform it into electricity – Once a solar panel absorbs photon energy, the electrons, or negative charges, are set free from their atoms. This allows them to move through the semiconductor material to create electricity. This electricity is converted by the solar power panels into direct current, or DC electricity. This is then sent off to an inverter to be transformed into AC, or alternating current, electricity.
Solar power panels can vary rather greatly in size and capacity. Some of the more common systems people run into include:
• Solar cell designs – This is a very small solar system that is designed to operate a single, small appliance. A portable radio that runs off solar power, for example, might use only a single solar cell and a rechargeable battery to function. A cell is also the basic component of full solar power panel designs.
• Solar panel arrays – The rectangular constructions found on residential roofs are generally solar panel arrays. This means there are a multitude of solar panels that work in tandem to power a home or a system within a home. These solar power panels each include a number of individual solar cells.
• Solar dish systems – This is a unique type of solar array. Rather than take up a stationary position on a roof, this type of system is more mobile and can be rotated and adjusted to take maximum advantage of the sun’s rays.
Solar power panels are the basic component of an energy collection system that operates on a larger scale. A single solar panel is made up of a number of solar cells, each designed to absorb the sun’s energy for practical use.
Solar Power History Specific links
Solar Power History News
US Slaps High Tariffs on Chinese Solar Panels - New York Times
 Greentech Media (blog) | US Slaps High Tariffs on Chinese Solar Panels New York Times The United States on Thursday announced the imposition of antidumping tariffs of more than 31 percent on solar panels from China. The move by the Commerce Department is certain to infuriate Chinese officials already upset after recent bilateral ... Will Conservatives Support American Companies... Or Chinese Companies? Asia Report: Solar Dumping Announcement Set for May 17 US Solar Manufacturers Opposed to Solar Tariffs |
State expands solar metering program - Bakersfield Californian
 Los Angeles Times | State expands solar metering program Bakersfield Californian California's solar industry lauded the decision as an environmentally beneficial move that will help produce jobs and enable more people to invest in solar power. "Today is a day that will shine bright in California history, bringing more jobs, ... Net Energy Metering Program Expanded Solar Rollover Credits: The Right Thing for California |
$16m solar boat sails into record books - CNN
 The Costa Rica Star | $16m solar boat sails into record books CNN After eight years of fundraising, 64000 hours of construction, and 19 months at sea, the "Turanor" made history on May 6, when it cruised into Port Hercules, Monaco, completing the first ever round-the-world journey by a solar-powered vessel. Circumnavigating the World in 585 Days Using Solar Energy on the MS Turanor |
China, Spain agree to deepen cooperation in solar energy and wind power - REVE
 China Daily | China, Spain agree to deepen cooperation in solar energy and wind power REVE China is making efforts to optimize its energy mix by implementing policies to promote the development of renewable energy, Wu said, adding that Spain is a world leader in wind energy and concentrated solar power. China and Spain on Thursday pledged to ... China, Spain agree to deepen cooperation in trade, green energy |
Councilman LaBonge's Weekly Newsletter - Patch.com
Councilman LaBonge's Weekly Newsletter Patch.com The LED lights use 60% less electricity and the solar-powered fixtures are completely powered by the sun's energy. The solar panels harvest solar power during the daylight hours and convert it to electricity to power the Bikeway Lights at night. |