A solar cell is a device that converts the energy of sunlight into electrical energy. A solar cell is typically made of several layers of semiconducting materials, including gallium arsenide, cadmium telluride, and indium phosphide. When sunlight strikes the surface of the solar cell, the sunlight photons cause the electrons in the material to interact and produce electricity. Some solar cells are made of semitransparent materials, such as silicon nitride or indium gallium phosphide, which allow some of the sunlight to pass through to the other side of the cell, where it is consumed. Depending on the device design and the thicknesses of the layers, a solar cell can generate a maximum of 1 watt or more. The amount of energy produced by a solar cell is directly proportional to its area, so larger solar cells can generate more energy. In addition, the efficiency of a solar cell increases as the temperature becomes higher; however, there is a limit to this effect. Modern solar cells tend to be very efficient, with conversion rates above 80% and some cells achieving over 90% efficiency levels.
Key Takeaways
Solar cells produce enough energy to operate small appliances like cell phones and tablets, as well as some small electronics like wrist watch, pagers, and remote controls.
The energy produced by a solar cell is very stable and can be stored in large quantities, making it ideal for use in remote areas where the electricity grid is either not available or unreliable.
The Rise of Solar Power
Solar power has seen a great increase in popularity over the past few years. Several major companies offer solar panel systems for homes and businesses. According to the Global Energy Storage and Management System (GESAMS) market research firm, the global energy storage market was valued at US$15.9 billion in 2016 and is projected to hit $26.9billion by 2023.
The popularity of solar power is due in part to the many advantageous aspects of the technology. Solar panels are inexpensive to purchase and install and can be found in most appliances and electronics stores. In addition, the installation of solar panels is easy and most people are already familiar with the process. Furthermore, the energy produced by solar panels is extremely useful, especially in areas where there is no other form of energy generation available.
However, solar power is not without its disadvantages. As with any new energy source, there is always the worry of reliability and how to make sure the energy will always be there when needed. In addition, the panels are vulnerable to the elements and can be damaged by extreme temperatures or strong winds. Another disadvantage is that the stored energy produced by the panels is susceptible to theft. While this is not an issue for people who store their energy on a small scale (like powering small electronics), it can be a major concern for those storing energy for large projects (like powering whole buildings).
Types of Solar Power
There are several different types of solar power. They all work in a similar way but use different materials and processes to achieve the same goal of converting sunlight into electricity.
The first type is traditional solar power, which uses silicon-based solar cells. These devices were originally developed in the 1950s and then improved upon over the years. They are still the most popular and reliable type of solar cell. Traditional solar power uses photovoltaic cells made of silicon to convert light into electricity. Some of the advantages of traditional solar power are its low cost and its ability to be manufactured in large quantities.
The second type of solar power is cadmium telluride solar cells. These cells were originally developed in the 1970s and have since replaced traditional silicon-based solar cells. Due to their higher conversion rate, cadmium telluride solar cells can generate more energy per unit area. In addition, these cells are more resistant to damage from temperature fluctuations and vibrations than traditional solar cells are. However, the disadvantage of cadmium telluride solar cells is that they are more expensive than traditional solar cells and can only be manufactured in small quantities.
How Do Solar Cells Work?
The working of a solar cell is fairly straightforward. When sunlight is available, the cell will begin to generate electricity. This is due to the effect of photons (light particles) causing electrons within the solar cell to interact and produce electricity. Cadmium telluride solar cells are more efficient than traditional silicon-based solar cells at generating electricity in the presence of light. However, indium phosphide solar cells can produce more electricity than either cadmium telluride or traditional silicon solar cells when light is not available. This is because when light is not present, the electrons within the cell cannot generate electricity as they cannot find an electron hole (a missing electron) to couple with.
How Many Watts Can a Solar Cell Generate?
This is a good question and it is essential that you know the answer before committing to using solar power. To determine this number, first you will need to calculate the effective area of the solar cell, which is the total area that generates electricity when the cell is exposed to sunlight. The amount of energy that a solar cell generates depends on the light intensity and the duration of exposure to sunlight. For example, if you are in a very sunny location and the sun is directly overhead, the solar cell will not generate much energy because most of the surface is shaded and not available for conversion.
In addition to the effective area of the solar cell, you will need to know the power rating of the system you are considering using. This number indicates the amount of energy that the device can produce at a certain voltage. The “rating” of a solar panel refers to the amount of amperage (amps) that the system can handle. Amperage indicates the maximum current that the device can deliver. For example, a 12V system with a capacity of 6 amps will produce 12 volts x 6 amp = 72 watts of power. Therefore, the specific rating of the system determines the maximum energy that can be produced by the cell.
Worth Considerations
Now that you have a good understanding of how much energy a solar cell can produce and the different types of solar cells available, you can begin to make smart decisions about where and how to use this wonderful new source of power. Before committing to using solar power, it is important to consider a number of factors. These include where you will install the panels, the orientation of the panels, the type of batteries you will use, and the efficiency of the system you are purchasing. Below are some of the major considerations if you are thinking about using solar power.
Where Will You Install The Panels?
The first thing to consider is where you will install the panels. You will need to look at the location carefully and determine whether it is suitable for the purpose you have in mind. For example, if your goal is to power electronics like cell phones and tablets, you will need to consider installing the panels on a rooftop or near a large window. If your goal is to provide electricity for a small business or home, you may want to opt for a solar power system where the panels are connected directly to the mains (power supply) and can be accessed directly from any room.
Orientation Of The Panels
The next thing to consider is the orientation of the panels. When sunlight is available, the panels will begin to generate electricity, depending on the type of cell used. However, the orientation of the panels can have a major effect on the energy that they produce. Typically, the panels should be installed with their short side (the one closest to the sun) facing north. This ensures that the panels can capture as much sunlight as possible and generate as much electricity as possible. In addition, the panels should be angled to follow the path of the sun during the day and maximize their energy production.
Type Of Batteries
The type of batteries you will use will also have an impact on the amount of energy that your solar cell will generate. Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular and efficient batteries around and have been used for many years in electronic devices such as cell phones. These batteries can provide significant charge capacity and can be recharged multiple times.
Other types of batteries, like nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or lead acid (LiFePO4 or LiPo4) are less popular but have several advantages. These types of batteries are inexpensive, light-weight, and can be charged and discharged easily. However, these batteries only work under specific conditions and cannot handle large amounts of current. If you plan on using your device frequently (i.e., your cell phone will be charged every few days), then you should opt for the LiPo4 or LiFePO4 batteries as they have a long life and can be recharged and reused many times.