Solar Panel Introduction
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Solar energy is produced by the sun. This energy can be transformed into electricity. For many years, humans have been trying to find the best way to collect and convert solar energy into electricity. We have been trying to do this because solar energy is a green alternative to fossil fuels. Fossil fuels create pollution, increase global warming, and are limited in supply. Solar energy does not pollute the air and is abundant in supply, which makes it a good alternative to fossil fuels. However, we are still trying to find cost effective and efficient ways to collect and convert solar energy into electricity.1
The first person who experimented with the use of solar energy was Auguste Mouchout, who was a mathematics instructor. He created a motor running on solar power which helped us learn about converting solar energy into electricity. Many other people designed solar panels including William Adams, Charles Tellier, Frank Shuman and more. None of the ideas caught on because of lack of public support and the large supply of fossil fuels we had at the time.2
The solar panel is one method of collecting and converting solar energy. There are two different types of solar panels, crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon. Crystalline silicon solar panels are created by cutting crystalline silicon into wafer-like disks. Then metal conductors and certain materials added to alter an electric charge are spread across the grid like matrix, and a thin layer of glass is put on the top for protection. Amorphous silicon solar panels are created when its cells are developed by a roll to roll process with vapor depositing silicone alloys. This eventually creates multiple layers which each specialize in absorbing different parts of the solar spectrum. Amorphous silicon solar panels are more durable than crystalline silicone solar panels.3 However, most solar panels are still produced from crystalline silicone since it is less expensive than amorphous silicon.4
Solar panels differ in efficiency, and several factors affect that. Most solar panels are 11-15% efficient. The more efficient a solar panel is the less surface area you will need to collect solar energy. Recently in labs, some scientists have been able to create solar panels that are 40% efficient. However, these labs are not the same as the real world, so solar panels haven’t drastically increased in efficiency yet.5
One factor that might affect solar panel efficiency is the angle the solar panel is facing. Solar panels are most efficient when they are facing the sun. However, the sun is always moving, so it is difficult for the solar panel to be facing the sun at all times.6 This experiment is to determine the best angle for a solar panel.
The first person who experimented with the use of solar energy was Auguste Mouchout, who was a mathematics instructor. He created a motor running on solar power which helped us learn about converting solar energy into electricity. Many other people designed solar panels including William Adams, Charles Tellier, Frank Shuman and more. None of the ideas caught on because of lack of public support and the large supply of fossil fuels we had at the time.2
The solar panel is one method of collecting and converting solar energy. There are two different types of solar panels, crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon. Crystalline silicon solar panels are created by cutting crystalline silicon into wafer-like disks. Then metal conductors and certain materials added to alter an electric charge are spread across the grid like matrix, and a thin layer of glass is put on the top for protection. Amorphous silicon solar panels are created when its cells are developed by a roll to roll process with vapor depositing silicone alloys. This eventually creates multiple layers which each specialize in absorbing different parts of the solar spectrum. Amorphous silicon solar panels are more durable than crystalline silicone solar panels.3 However, most solar panels are still produced from crystalline silicone since it is less expensive than amorphous silicon.4
Solar panels differ in efficiency, and several factors affect that. Most solar panels are 11-15% efficient. The more efficient a solar panel is the less surface area you will need to collect solar energy. Recently in labs, some scientists have been able to create solar panels that are 40% efficient. However, these labs are not the same as the real world, so solar panels haven’t drastically increased in efficiency yet.5
One factor that might affect solar panel efficiency is the angle the solar panel is facing. Solar panels are most efficient when they are facing the sun. However, the sun is always moving, so it is difficult for the solar panel to be facing the sun at all times.6 This experiment is to determine the best angle for a solar panel.