How Does Solar Power Work?

Photovoltaic Technology

Solar power is can be referred to as photovoltaic technology, or PV. The PV is made of silicon, which is basically sand that has been formed into large computer chips that act as semiconductors. The sunlight is absorbed into the PV panels and then through a PN junction and a thin layer of metal to produce power. A PN junction is the transition between positive and negative forces to create an electric field.

Different Systems

PV systems typically take up a whole roof or side of a roof in order to provide enough power for a home. Larger PV arrays have been built in flat areas of land like the Spingerville Generating Station in Arizona that provides 5 to 9 megawatts of power every hour. There are also small PV systems used to power certain streetlights, construction signs and floodlights.

Inverter

Once the power is created on the PV system, it travels through electric wires into a house. The electricity is initially DC power, but houses run on AC power, so all of the power must be sent through an inverter in order to be converted to AC and provide power for the home, business, or multiple areas using the larger PV systems.

Storage of Power

Extra power that is captured by the PV systems can be stored in large battery storage systems that are located in a protected area outside of the house, in the basement, or stored somewhere else in the house. The batteries can hold enough energy to power a house for a week if necessary.

Grid Connections

Solar set-ups can either be stand-alone set-ups or grid connections that are easily adapted to outside sources of power. If the PV systems are grid-connected, extra power that is stored can be sent out through the grid and supply other houses with power. This also works the other way as well and provides a solar-powered home power when there has not been a lot of sun and the batteries do not have enough energy stored to supply the power.