Understanding Solar Panels: A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Energy

As the effects arising out of climate change escalate uncontrollably and the earth’s reserves of non-renewable energy near depletion, the importance of solar panels that convert photovoltaic energy—sustainable and renewable energy solutions—has never been so much more prominent earlier. Options are wide open; however, power generated from sun rays has emerged as the most viable alternative. Now, even most of the people in rural areas in my hometown have supplies of solar electricity, thanks to the systems and pieces of equipment distributed by my nephew’s wife.
Well, it has certainly evolved as the sole renewable energy that offers a clean, abundant, and increasingly cost-effective source of power.  Hence, when we consider it the greatest source of energy, understanding the means to harness its power is crucial for the world we live in. And this blog, you are going to understand many different facets of this source of energy, especially how solar panel technology can resolve the power demand of humankind sustainably.

What is the History of Solar Panels and How Did It Take Its Present Shape?

Until 1839, it never occurred to anyone to exploit the energy emitted by the sun for the positive cause of humans. It was Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, the French physicist, who discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839—the principle and mechanism by which light or solar light can produce electricity. Following this principle, Charles Fritts invented the first solar cell in 1883 using selenium wafers—non-metals with several allotropes ( existing in one or more forms of a chemical element). This invention was like a frontrunner in solar power development.
However, in the early part of the 20th century, there were many trials, or, so to speak, efforts, that paved the way ultimately for the success of space exploration that relied on photovoltaic electricity. Without the breakthrough in this technology, space missions and exploration would have never been successful. Exploiting the benefits of solar energy for human beings became easier when Charles Fritts created the first cell of its kind a long time ago, finally taking real shape in the 1960s, revolutionizing photovoltaic power generation. 

What Are Solar Panels in Simple Terms?

In simple terms, these are devices or equipment that absorb the sun’s rays and transform and convert them into electricity or heat, making them easy to use in a practical manner. In other words, these pieces of equipment or modules are photovoltaic systems that enable the conversion of the sun’s rays into electricity or heat—solar power. And they come in the form of a series of photovoltaic cells systematically arranged into panels with rectangular shapes. Thus, panels trap the solar rays and produce energy, which you can install atop the roof or at remote locations.

How Can You Make a Solar Power Panel?

No matter how easy making the panels may be, we would never encourage you to undertake the process, though. Because it requires specialist handling that can take care of many underlying tricky jobs. Actually, solar panels consist of photovoltaic systems arranged in units that we call cells. The engineers structure the units or cells to combine semiconductor elements/materials with atoms of other elements, usually boron and phosphorous, to form a system of their own.
Then, the engineers arrange these units or cells next to each other over a flat, plain region, making a complete system. After that, they would place a specific glass over the system to protect it from damage while at the same time maximizing energy generation or the benefits of solar energy—a platform similar to the greenhouse mechanism.
Now, this system will trap the radiation coming from the sun but not the heat of the air associated with it. The point to remember is that if you maintain the temperature of the cells/units below 25°, an ideal state for electricity generation, you can keep them lasting for a maximum period of 25 to 30 years.

How Does Solar Panel Technology Work: Its Functionality?

In layman’s terminology, the panels function by simply allowing photons—the particles of light—to hit or knock electrons producing electricity. As mentioned above, these panels comprise many smaller units, or photovoltaic cells, that convert the sun’s rays or radiation into electricity. If you were an engineer, you would link these numerous cells contributing to the formation of panels, enabling themselves for various solar energy uses.
In short, these systems, or mirrored panels, concentrate the sun’s radiation and then convert it into electrical energy. You can now store the energy in batteries or thermal storage components, which you can utilize as electrical power to either light up your house or watch TV, and so forth.

Important Solar Energy Uses

To reduce the carbon footprint when the global temperature has uncontrollably skyrocketed, electricity received from the sun’s rays has turned out to be the most viable option. Since it is a renewable, inexhaustible, and last but not least, extremely affordable form of energy, it is the most easily accessible yet readily usable power source for hungry machines, appliances, etc. in residences, offices, and industries. The renewable energy solutions can drastically solve many issues we face today.
Because of the solar energy cost effectiveness, you can easily fulfill your high demand for powering domestic appliances at minimal prices. In the light of the above significance, the sun’s radiation is useful for our use in the following manner:

1. Electricity

• Distributed solar PV systems installed on rooftops of homes or businesses
• Generates electricity to offset property owner’s usage and excess sent to the grid
• A small percentage of total U.S. electricity generation but growing rapidly

2. Batteries

• Can connect to solar power system for energy storage and backup power
• Allows use of solar after sundown and during emergencies
• Enables going more off-grid with a solar home power system

3. Generators

• Portable combination of solar panels, battery, charger, and inverter
• Useful for camping, boating trips, and emergency power outages
• Large generators can power an entire house for several hours using solar panels

4. Ventilation

• Solar attic fans help cool homes and reduce HVAC burden
• Innovative product: Solatube solar attic fan
• Can preheat buildings in cold climates to reduce energy costs

5. Water Heating

• Active systems use mechanical pumps to circulate fluids
• Direct circulation (for warm climates) and indirect circulation (for cold climates)
• Passive systems use natural heat rise without pumps
• Integral collector storage and thermosiphon systems

6. House Heating

• Hot water solar systems use solar collectors and circulating pumps
• Hot air solar systems circulate heated air from walls or roofs

7. Powered Pumps

• Used in heating systems to circulate water without relying on grid electricity
• Can run 24/7 with battery or generator, becoming the most solar energy cost effective option

8. Pool and Hot Tub Heating

• Cost-effective use of solar energy in many climates
• Circulates water through solar collectors to heat pools and hot tubs
• May need auxiliary heater after sundown

9 Lighting

• Solar landscape, security, holiday, and indoor lighting options available
• Fixtures have individual solar cells and rechargeable batteries
• Innovative products like Solatube skylight

10. Appliances

• Solar ovens, coolers, speakers, calculators, flashlights, and lanterns
• Solar power keyboards, battery chargers, and security cameras
• Solar umbrellas and Wi-Fi garbage bins

11. Beautification

• Solar garden decorations, bird feeders, and water fountains
• Solar-powered irrigation controllers and underwater pool lights

12. Wearables

• Solar watches, backpacks, headphones, earbuds, helmets, and textiles

14. Transportation

• Home and public EV charging stations, and solar carports, crucially helpful for solar energy cost effectiveness
• Solar-powered mobile homes, tiny homes, parking lots, bus stops, benches
• Solar streetlights and industrial applications

15. Outdoor Purposes

• Solar-powered tents, drinking water systems, movie theaters, internet cafes
• Spherical solar power generator for concentrated light collection

Top Companies Producing Solar Panels in the World

Well, when it comes to companies engaged in manufacturing devices to harness this renewable energy, there are indeed a plethora of them. Before finding out the names of the companies involved in producing the systems, it is worth mentioning the countries investing in electric power generation using radiation while also contributing to lowering carbon footprint levels. The names of the countries that are striving to maximize  the benefits of solar energy for humanitarian purposes are as follows:

• The United States of American
• China
• Canada
• Germany
• Japan
• India
• France
• Spain
• Italy
• South Korea

As for the companies that have progressed significantly in enhancing the manufacturing process which began a long time ago in 1839–1883 and then further developed in the 1960s, there are in fact numerous of them that have emerged over time. These companies have invested a substantial amount of money in solar panel technology, leveraging cutting-edge principles. To name just a few, these companies located worldwide in various countries are as follows:

• First Solar (The U.S.A.)
• SunPower Corporation (The U.S.A.)
• BrightSource Energy (The U.S.A.)
• General Electric Company (Space) (The U.S.A.)
• Canadian Solar Inc. (Canada)
• Trina Solar (China)
• Tata Power Solar System Ltd (India)
• Waaree Group (India)

Conclusion

The need for solar energy uses never existed as widely as it was when the story began in the 1800s. Without its emergence or development in that period, our ability to reduce the temperature would have never been as effective as we realize now.  In fact, what started as a curiosity in 1800 has evolved into a booming global industry providing clean, sustainable, and renewable power yet with cost-effective accessibility to millions worldwide.
Given the urgency of the worsening climatic conditions, many companies, as you have seen above, have come up with ideas and resources for effectively harnessing the most abundant energy source on earth. Since the technology trapping the radiation has improved manifold, far beyond than what we imagined, utilizing the sun’s rays as energy is now quite easy and affordable, thanks to solar panels. Also, it has significantly helped to combat climate change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How much electricity can panels using solar power generate?

As for the capacity, or, so to speak, the efficiency of panels, the amount of electricity they produce depends on several factors including cutting-edge technology. The following are the important factors on which the capacity to generate electricity depends:

• The size of the solar array
• Efficiency of the panels
• Amount of sunlight
• The kind of materials used

Q2. What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?

In point of fact, this energy has a huge potential to greatly mitigate the rise/upsurge of greenhouse gases: Water vapor, Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs and HCFCs), etc.  By efficiently using the power generated using the sun’s radiation, you can proportionally minimize or even negate the carbon footprint and successfully combat climate change. Additionally, you can reduce air pollution significantly using electric batteries produced with solar units.

Q3. How long do panels of solar power last?

Actually, most of the devices or panels in question have a lifespan of around 20 to 30 years, depending on the kind of technology, types of equipment, and materials used to design and manufacture them. However, the important point to note is that as they age over time, their efficiency decreases. Despite this drawback, the 80% quality of the panels remains in quite perfect shape. It means the solar panels can still produce the required output with an 80% efficiency rate.