Solar Panels
Solar Panels
Solar Panels, also known as Solar Cells, convert solar energy into electrical energy. When sunlight hits the solar panel it knocks electrons loose from their atoms and then they move through the built in circuit, thus creating a current of energy. This energy can be stored in batteries for later use or it can be used right away.
Antoine César Becquerel, a French scientist, and his son, Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, were the first to notice photovoltaic power in 1839. They discovered that an electrode, submerged in an electrolyte solution, produced electricity when light fell on it. They tried to build a working solar cell but could not do so because of engineering difficulties. Charles Fritts, an American inventor, used the Becquerel’s idea and created the very first solar panel in 1882. His solar panel was not efficient since it only converted 1% of the solar energy into electrical energy. The cause of this was because he made his solar panel out of selenium. Russell Ohl, an employee at the Bell Laboratory, enhanced Fritts’ solar cell by making it out of silicon sheets, which is widely used today. His solar cell could convert up to 4%-6% of the sunlight into electricity. With more new additions to the solar panel enable it to produce up to convert up to 37% of the solar energy into electrical energy.
Math is involved in solar panels in a lot of ways. When you measure the amount of energy that the solar cell created by using the formula: W=VxA. (W stands for watt, V stands for voltage, A stands for amps). In order to find out how efficient the solar panel is you need to use the formula Efficiency = (energy out as electricity / energy in as light). When you need to figure out the perfect angle for the solar panel, you need to find the angle of your latitude. If your latitude was a negative value, you want to face your solar panels north. If your latitude is a positive value, orientate your panels south.
Solar panels have a great impact on society.
Solar Panels, also known as Solar Cells, convert solar energy into electrical energy. When sunlight hits the solar panel it knocks electrons loose from their atoms and then they move through the built in circuit, thus creating a current of energy. This energy can be stored in batteries for later use or it can be used right away.
Antoine César Becquerel, a French scientist, and his son, Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, were the first to notice photovoltaic power in 1839. They discovered that an electrode, submerged in an electrolyte solution, produced electricity when light fell on it. They tried to build a working solar cell but could not do so because of engineering difficulties. Charles Fritts, an American inventor, used the Becquerel’s idea and created the very first solar panel in 1882. His solar panel was not efficient since it only converted 1% of the solar energy into electrical energy. The cause of this was because he made his solar panel out of selenium. Russell Ohl, an employee at the Bell Laboratory, enhanced Fritts’ solar cell by making it out of silicon sheets, which is widely used today. His solar cell could convert up to 4%-6% of the sunlight into electricity. With more new additions to the solar panel enable it to produce up to convert up to 37% of the solar energy into electrical energy.
Math is involved in solar panels in a lot of ways. When you measure the amount of energy that the solar cell created by using the formula: W=VxA. (W stands for watt, V stands for voltage, A stands for amps). In order to find out how efficient the solar panel is you need to use the formula Efficiency = (energy out as electricity / energy in as light). When you need to figure out the perfect angle for the solar panel, you need to find the angle of your latitude. If your latitude was a negative value, you want to face your solar panels north. If your latitude is a positive value, orientate your panels south.
Solar panels have a great impact on society.
Bibliography: Chasteen, Stephanie, and Rima Chaddha. "How Do Solar Panels Work?" PBS. PBS, 24 Apr. 2007. Web. 30 May 2013. Johnson, Peter. "How Is Wattage Figured on Solar Panels? | National Geographic."Green Living on National Geographic. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 30 May 2013. "Who Invented Solar Panels?" Who Invented Solar Panels? N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2013. "Who Invented Solar Panels?" Who Invented Who Invented Solar Panels Comments. N.p., 12 Feb. 2011. Web. 30 May 2013.