Solar Panels may seem simple: Shine sunlight on glossy black stuff and connect that to a backwards outlet and “Presto!” we got usable electricity! Well, there are several processes that are required to convert solar energy into electricity.

First and foremost most solar panels are made primarily out of silicon. That silicon needs to be applied to a surface in order to function properly. During the vacuum spraying process, very thin layers can be applied on glass, metal or even flexible plastic surfaces. Amorphous silicon is usually used in consumer goods such as calculators and watches.

-Amorphous panels need about twice the surface area to produce the same amount of electricity, and their output deteriorates more quickly over time, but they react better to diffuse and fluorescent light and work better at higher temperatures.

* A single solar cell always produces a VOLTAGE of approximately 0.5 volts, regardless of its size.

The standard solar panels are for 12 V applications. A photovoltaic panel normally contains between 28 and 40 cells for a usable voltage. Voltage can be compared with water pressure in a hose. If the “pressure” of the electrons isn’t high enough, the electricity can’t “enter” the battery.

Just as voltage can be likened to water pressure in a hose, current can be likened to the flow, or the amount of water (or electrons) passing through. A thin hose will take longer to fill a swimming pool than a thicker hose with the same pressure.

A panel that produces 2 amperes sends twice as many electrons as a one-ampere panel. When talking of PV panels, you usually refer to their POWER (measured in WATTS).

VOLTAGE (electrical “pressure”) is measured in VOLTS
CURRENT is measured in AMPERES.
POWER (WATTS) is calculated by multiplying these two.
VOLTS x AMPERES = WATTS

One square meter of solar panels can produce up to 150 watts of excellent power for up to thirty years. They can even function during diffuse light on cloudy days, with less efficiency.

Some systems use panel mounts called “trackers” that follow the path of the sun during the day. These automatic systems can augment output 50% in the summer and 20% in the winter.

So solar power is obviously more effective during the daytime and summer months.