Solar Panels

Solar panels generate free power from the sun by converting sunlight to electricity with no moving parts, zero emissions, and no maintenance. The solar panel, the first component of a electric solar energy system, is a collection of individual silicon cells that generate electricity from sunlight. The photons (light particles) produce an electrical current as they strike the surface of the thin silicon wafers.

The 3 basic types of Solar Panels:

Monocrystalline solar panels : The most efficient and expensive solar panels are made with Monocrystalline cells. These solar cells use very pure silicon and involve a complicated crystal growth process. Long silicon rods are produced which are cut into slices of .2 to .4 mm thick discs or wafers which are then processed into individual cells that are wired together in the solar panel.

Polycrystalline solar panels : Often called Multi-crystalline, solar panels made with Polycrystalline cells are a little less expensive & slightly less efficient than Monocrystalline cells because the cells are not grown in single crystals but in a large block of many crystals. This is what gives them that striking shattered glass appearance. Like Monocrystalline cells, they are also then sliced into wafers to produce the individual cells that make up the solar panel.

Amorphous solar panels : These are not really crystals, but a thin layer of silicon deposited on a base material such as metal or glass to create the solar panel. These Amorphous solar panels are much cheaper, but their energy efficiency is also much less so more square footage is required to produce the same amount of power as the Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline type of solar panel. Amorphous solar panels can even be made into long sheets of roofing material to cover large areas of a south facing roof surface.

Shading & Shadows on solar panels:

When deciding on a location for your solar panels, make sure no shadows will fall on the solar panel array during peak sunlight hours (say, 9am to 4pm). Not only will shading of the solar panels significantly reduce their output, but also could cause damage. Some solar panel manufacturers advertise panels that can withstand shading but they use internal diodes which in themselves reduce the power somewhat. We in HSIT recommend simply choosing a good location to start with, even if it means cutting down a few trees or otherwise removing obstacles.

With a total of only six 80 Watt solar panels this Solar Home runs a refrigerator, computer, 27 inch color tv, microwave, various lights, misc devices, and even an Air Conditioner in the summer. Today's solar panels have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years or more. And just think, they'll be making FREE electricity whole time! Contact http://www.hispeedit.com/