Hoe does solar energy work?
Question:
Answer:
It work off of Einstein's photoelectric effect. Light is an electromagetic wave propagating through space, but due to Quantum Mechanics it can also be viewed as particles. The energy of these particles, called photons, is dependent upon the frequency of the light. The higher the frequency the higher the energy. If the frequency and thus the energy of a photon is high enough it can knock an electron out of its atomic orbital.
Now the problem is that one can not predict in which direction the electron is going to travel, however there are special transitionary elements between the metals and non metals called semiconductors. These semiconductors are divided into two classes p-type and n-type. Now if one places a film of n-type semiconductor against a film of p-type semiconductor they produce a diode which allows electric current to only flow in one direction from the n-type side to the p-type side. So only the electrons that are knocked from the n-type side to the p-type side are compelled to stay put, but as more and more electrons are knocked over to the p-type side a a voltage potential starts to develope.
the sun goes into the solar panals and it gets turned into energy
It works when the sun shines! ;-)
It's not the best during a solar eclipse but your lights will only go out for a brief moment.
1. Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting materials, such as silicon.
2. Electrons (negatively charged) are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to produce electricity. The complementary positive charges that are also created (like bubbles) are called holes and flow in the direction opposite of the electrons in a silicon solar panel.
3. An array of solar panels converts solar energy into a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity.
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