Chemistry Of Solar Panels

Produced 334 2 megawatts of solar energy which has grown to 6 220 3 megawatts in 2013.

Chemistry of solar panels.

For simplicity this article begins with a description of crystalline material. However solar panels are not emitting toxins into the atmosphere as they re generating electricity. As the solar panel generates an electric current the energy flows through a series of wires to an inverter see step 3 above. Solar chemical refers to a number of possible processes that harness solar energy by absorbing sunlight in a chemical reaction the idea is conceptually similar to photosynthesis in plants which converts solar energy into the chemical bonds of glucose molecules but without using living organisms which is why it is also called artificial photosynthesis.

The total amount of solar energy incident on earth is vastly in excess of the world s energy requirements and could satisfy all future energy needs if suitably harnessed. Each photon of the light that has a high enough energy to be absorbed by the crystal s atoms will set free an electron hole pair. A solar cell is made of two types of semiconductors called p type and n type silicon. While solar panels are considered a form of clean renewable energy the manufacturing process does produce greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar cells can be made from single crystals crystalline and amorphous semiconductors. Solar energy radiation from the sun capable of producing heat causing chemical reactions or generating electricity. Modern research in the area of photovoltaic cells is driven by the desire to increase efficiency. Solar cell efficiency is generally defined as the percent of solar energy that is converted into useful electrical energy.

In 1997 the u s. Contemporary solar panels exhibit a relatively low average efficiency of 15 25. Because boron has one less electron than is required to form the bonds with the surrounding silicon atoms an electron vacancy or hole is created. Solar power currently makes up a small percentage of the power usage in the u s only about 0 2 percent according to the institute for energy research.

Although this number seems small it s definitely an increase compared to past levels. Perovskites compound materials with a special crystal structure formed through chemistry would replace silicon which for now remains the solar cell material of choice for converting the. Additionally to produce solar panels manufacturers need to handle toxic chemicals.