Solar
A solar panel is a device designed to absorb the energy of the Sun’s rays, either for immediate use or for storage. There are two main types of solar panels: the photovoltaic modules and solar thermal collectors. The photovoltaic modules are intended to convert the energy of sunlight into electric energy. Solar thermal collectors are designed to absorb energy from the Sun directly as thermal energy, are often used to heat water for showers. The first type of solar panel, PV module, is actually a collection of solar cells. Solar cells are combined into a single solar panel for ease of use. The most common type of crystalline silicon solar panels uses either in the form of sheets or thin films composed of either silicon or cadmium telluride.
When light hits the solar panel, part of the energy of light is absorbed by the semiconductor which constitutes it, knocking electrons free. These electrons are forced to create a stream, which can be captured, converted, and is used to provide everything that is needed. It is a fairly basic concept, but there is a fascinating world of innovation and discovery in progress to unlock the power of the solar panel. A more immediate concern, with a solar panel is the way to get the most energy in a smaller amount of area. A solar panel is expensive and takes up space, so it has to be both economic and financial from the perspective of the footprint, so it is worth to install them instead of grabbing the electricity out of the network. Solar panels currently operate in around 5% to 18% efficiency, and this number has increased significantly in the last decade.
There is a solid industry around the production of innovative solar panels that can absorb light from the Sun even more, and it seems likely that the affordable consumer groups solar absorbing 20% and 30% will be available soon. There are also more exotic plans to increase efficiency on a massive scale, with many drawings and models theoretical hoping to up to 50% efficiency. This has implications for a wide range of applications, from power to households to vehicles and to fuel spacecraft. Another innovation in the design of solar panels is based on attempts to manufacture panels incredibly thin, transparent and flexible, so that they can be placed on things like Windows, eliminating virtually its footprint. The other type of solar panel, solar thermal collector, has been in use for hundreds of years in one form or another. Many people use solar energy to heat their homes, through the execution of this warm water through pipes in the floors or walls, which then radiate out and warm the air in the interior.