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What are Solar Panels? How Do They Work? Learn the technology etcSHOP FOR Solar Panels HERE at the Solar Store!
Solar panels (SP) or sometimes called photovoltaic (PV) panels are made from materials that can allow it to convert the sun’s rays into electrical energy. This energy is used for many purposes. As the use of fossil fuel becomes more and more expensive and harmful to our environment, using solar energy is a viable alternative power source.
Several products today are solar powered. If you’ve ever used a calculator that needs to be in light to run, then you’ve used a solar powered device. Going on there are flexible solar panels that are portable. These can be use to supply electricity to small electronics and appliances. Thing like computers, cell phone, ipods, radios, and cd players can all be operated with a portable solar powered panel.
RV systems are becoming a favorite among RV users to provide energy without having to worry about being close to a hookup or having a generator for power.
Many homes and business use solar panels to produce a portion or even al of their electrical needs. Solar energy panels are used to produce this electricity .
A SP is composed of solar cells. Solar cells are manufactured from specific semi-conductors that can transform the sun’s rays into electricity. The electricity produced is direct current. Depending on the type of electricity that’s needed there may be an inverter installed to convert this direct current to alternating current. Alternating current is the type of electrical current required in most homes.
Solar energy systems can operate stand-alone or they can be tied into a local utility grid. By tying into a local utility grid, the owner of the solar power system can use the utility as a backup source of power. In some cases, they can even sell extra electricity back to the utility.
Solar panels are used to provide only a small portion of energy worldwide. The use of solar power is still in its infancy even though it was used centuries ago. As technology continues to develop the use of solar power is destined to compete and grow to hopefully out weigh traditional power sources.
Read about solar energy, photovoltaics and solar products. Visit "The Power of Solar Energy" site for more information on solar panels. Find out more how to choose your system and how to calculate it.
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