What exactly are solar panels?
Solar Panels are a form of solar power, a term that describes how solar panels make use of the sun's energy. Solar panels harvest sunlight and then convert it to electricity. Solar Cells are arranged in a grid-like pattern on the surface of the solar panel. These collect sunlight during the daylight hours. Solar panels look like long greyish black rectangles with a shiny, grid-like surface. They are usually either attached onto the roof of a building or placed somewhere around a building. They are usually also set up at an angle, so they can catch the sun.
What are these panels made of?
"Solar panels are typically constructed with cystalline silicon...and the more expensive gallium arsenide, which is produced exclusively for use in photovoltaic (solar) cells."
Solar power is not just used for buildings and home though, some vehicles also harness the sun's power. The article below talks about solar planes:
SOLAR PLANES?
Even the organizers of the world's first 24-hour solar plane flight don't see this novel form of transportation replacing the jet anytime soon. But they definitely proved that, for the first time since Icarus came down to earth, zero emission flight is possible (well, besides human-powered aircraft perhaps).
The ultra-lightweight solar plane, like a giant dragonfly with a 207-foot wingspan and 12,000 solar cells, flew over the Jura mountains in Switzerland and reached nearly 30,000 feet before touching down July 8 near the Swiss capital of Bern.
The Solar Impulse is a single-seater plane that could, at least in theory, stay in the air indefinitely. But 24 hours is impressive enough. "We achieved more than we wanted," said solo pilot Andre Borschberg, whose flight was seven years in the planning. "Everybody is extremely happy."
The co-founder of the endeavor, balloon record-setter Bertrand Piccard, said the flight sets new standards for solar power. "There is a before and after in terms of what people have to believe and understand about renewable energies," he said. There are a number of other solar flight pioneers, including the Zephyr, which stayed aloft for 83 hours (but not with a person aboard).
Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/solar-powered-vehicles#ixzz1DtTWjxe5
The Solar Impulse is a single-seater plane that could, at least in theory, stay in the air indefinitely. But 24 hours is impressive enough. "We achieved more than we wanted," said solo pilot Andre Borschberg, whose flight was seven years in the planning. "Everybody is extremely happy."
The co-founder of the endeavor, balloon record-setter Bertrand Piccard, said the flight sets new standards for solar power. "There is a before and after in terms of what people have to believe and understand about renewable energies," he said. There are a number of other solar flight pioneers, including the Zephyr, which stayed aloft for 83 hours (but not with a person aboard).
Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/solar-powered-vehicles#ixzz1DtTWjxe5
This article is an example of one of the exciting and innovative ways solar power can be used. Solar panels seem like a great idea, but what I want to explore is just how practical they really are. How much do solar panels cost? How much energy do they produce? Are they available to a lot of people?
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