What is solar energy?

Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable form of energy derived from the sun. It is harnessed by capturing sunlight and converting it into various useful forms of energy, such as heat, electricity, or chemical reactions. Solar energy is an abundant and clean source of power that can be harnessed through various technologies, including solar panels (photovoltaic cells), solar thermal systems, and concentrated solar power systems. These technologies allow us to utilize the sun's energy to meet our electricity and heating needs while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, making it an environmentally friendly energy source.

What is solar panel?

A solar panel, also known as a photovoltaic (PV) panel or module, is a device designed to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. Solar panels are a key component of solar energy systems and play a crucial role in harnessing solar energy for various applications, including residential and commercial electricity generation.

Photovoltaic Cells: Solar panels are made up of many individual solar cells, typically composed of silicon or other semiconductor materials. These cells contain layers of materials that can generate an electrical current when exposed to sunlight.

Absorption of Sunlight: When sunlight strikes the surface of the solar panel, the energy from the photons in the sunlight is absorbed by the semiconductor material in the solar cells.

Inverter: The electricity generated by the solar panels is in the form of DC power, which needs to be converted into alternating current (AC) power for most household and commercial applications. An inverter is used for this purpose.

Generation of Electricity: The absorbed energy causes electrons within the semiconductor material to become energized and move, creating an electrical current. This flow of electrons generates direct current (DC) electricity.

Connection to the Grid or Battery: The converted AC electricity can either be used immediately to power devices within the building or, if excess electricity is generated, it can be fed back into the electrical grid or stored in batteries for later use.