Solar panels are the new catchphrases that refer to the greener alternate energy source namely the solar power. It is the result of scientific advancements and the hope for the future. As a consumer it is in your interest to know a lot more about these panels. It is interesting to study the details on how they are made and installed to generate power.
By browsing the net you can find enough information about the solar panel and solar power. Solar panels are photovoltaic cells that use sunlight to provide us with free, renewable and clean energy.
- Typically, these panels are made of crystalline silicon (which is a semi-conductor used in the field of electronics) and the exclusive and expensive gallium arsenide (used for making photovoltaic cells).
- The efficient and newly developed panels are made of amorphous silicon alloy fixed on stainless steel plates. They are rolled continuously to create a thin film rolled on A-Si cells. These are durable and more proficient than their predecessor.
- Solar panels are required for space projects and space probes as they rely heavily on solar energy. For this purpose very efficient and highly effective solar cells are made from a material called gallium arsenide through a process called beam molecular epitaxy. The solar cells in this process are designed for maximum absorbing power and have numerous p-n junctions for this purpose. These panels are highly capable and the materials involved in making them make them very expensive. So it is not feasible to use them for daily average applications.
- The newest technology in this field is the arrival of panels which work on a quantum level and symbolizes a breathtaking novel technology. Quantum dots or carbon nanotubes are implanted in treated plastic to create the new model solar panel. This technology is still under research and it may take some time to reach the average consumer.
Solar panels made with plastic sheets could possibly be a break through invention once it is operationally successful. The operational efficiency of these panels is 11% as compared to their silicon counterparts. This hurdle to increase the efficiency has to be crossed before the plastic panels can be used for various purposes.
While investing in a solar panel, it is advisable checking your energy needs and installs them accordingly. Other factors such as the quality of material used and the place where it has to be fixed must be considered to increase the output of these panels. It is highly recommended to look beyond the outward attractions of the solar panels and focus on the watts/dollars ratio.