How solar panels work!
The working principle of solar panels is mainly based on the photoelectric effect of semiconductor materials. This process is called the photovoltaic effect. The main material of solar panels is silicon, which has semiconductor properties and can absorb photons and generate electron-hole pairs. The specific process is as follows: 12
·When sunlight shines on the P-type and N-type semiconductor materials of the solar panel, photons with sufficient energy can excite the electrons in the covalent bonds, producing electron-hole pairs.
·These electrons and holes are separated near the PN junction, forming a built-in electric field.
·Electrons and holes move toward the positively charged N region and negatively charged P region respectively, forming a testable voltage.
·By connecting the two ends through a wire, an electric current can be generated, thereby converting solar energy into electrical energy.
Solar panels are usually made up of multiple solar cells, each made of semiconductor materials such as silicon. These cells absorb photons from sunlight and generate charges through the photoelectric effect, which are collected by wires to form an electric current. However, during the conversion process, some of the energy is lost through reflection, transmission, and conversion to heat. In order to reduce these losses, solar panels may adopt design measures such as reflective layers, anti-reflective films, and multi-layer structures.trina solar panels