PV solar power is different from other types. Of the two main categories of solar energy, active and passive, PV solar power is active. Let's take a look at it.

Solar Panel

Active solar power depends on solar panels. You might picture them as flat, rectangular boxes on rooftops.

There are two main types of solar panel. From a distance, both look like rectangular boxes. Both convert rays from the sun into energy, but in 2 different ways. The terms for the 2 solar panel varieties are solar thermal collector and photovoltaic module.

1. Solar thermal collector: This solar panel takes in solar energy from the sun and makes use of it to heat air or water.

2. Photovoltaic module: This next type of solar panel collects solar power and converts it to usable electrical energy.

Meet the PV

To answer the question, what is PV solar power, we must know what the PV is. The quick answer is that PV pertains to a photovoltaic module. "P" is for photo and "V" for voltaic.

In simple words, "photo" refers to sunlight and "voltaic" refers to electrical energy. PV panels convert sunlight into electric energy. Sunshine flows into the solar panel. Electrical power 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 offers electrical insulation. It is also good safety from weather and different harmful forces.

When minimal energy is needed, such as that needed to power a smaller appliance, a single PV solar panel is enough. When more energy is needed, an "array" of solar panels is created by connecting panels to one another. If the power will not be supplied to the power grid, the solar panel(s) is linked to a charge controller, and battery. If it is meant for on-grid use, the solar panel array will be linked to an electrical inverter.

What Is PV Solar Power?

Conventional silicon solar panels convert about 14 to 17 percent of sunshine into usable electricity. That is not much. Late in 2006, however, a brand new solar cell was introduced. Solar panels that utilize the new cell can transform into electricity twenty two percent of the sunlight they gather. Theoretically, the maximum that the cells of a solar panel can convert is said to be around 26 to 27 percent of incoming sunlight.

How does it really work? Let's look at a really simple explanation.

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

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