Solar panels convert photons from the sun's radiation and turn them into electrons, creating electricity. Because there is no burning of fossil fuels solar power is clean and it is also renewable. Because of their increase in popularity solar panels have become a relatively inexpensive form of generating electricity and can pay for themselves usually within a few years. An added advantage is that if you have solar panels installed on your home you can sell the excess electricity that you aren't using back to your electric company

A solar panel is a made up of several solar cells or photovoltaic cells, packed together to generate and supply electricity. The electricity generated 

by the solar panel can be used for commercial or residential purposes. A solar panel works by converting photons from the sun into electrons, 

which is known as the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels make use of renewable energy from the sun; therefore, it is clean and environmentally friendly.

Solar panels are used as transducers to convert light energy from the sun to electrical energy that can be used in commercial and residential purposes. 

The main advantage of solar energy is that it is an environmentally friendly source of electricity. Using solar power eliminates pollution caused by 

traditional methods of producing electrical energy and doesn't produce any greenhouse gases, which are related to global warming. In addition, since 

energy from the sun is free, once the solar panels are installed the energy that they generate is also free.

Solar panels are usually installed on top of a house's rooftop, where it can directly face thesun. The area where the solar panel is installed should be free of any obstructions and should get sunlight throughout the year. To mount the solar panels on the rooftops, you will need solar panel mounts. These are used to install the photovoltai solar panels. There are three types of mounts: flush, pole and roof-ground mounts. Flush mounts are typically installed with small solar panel installations on rooftops. Pole mounts are freestanding structures that do not need to be attached to a roof and can also be connected to a utility pole. A roof-ground mount has the flexibility to be installed on both the roof and the ground and is generally use for larger solar panels such as those used on buildings.

Solar panels on homes are most often used for powering lighting systems. Using solar energy, homeowners can see their utility bills decrease from 50 to 70 percent per month. Solar energy can also be used to heat the rooms in the house, power electrical appliances or generate hot water.

Common Misconceptions

The most common misconception about solar power is the cost. Installation of solar panels in the1990's and early 2000's was really expensive. However, it has since become cheaper. In parts of Australia, Japan and California there are entire neighborhoods that use solar power as their main source of electricity.

Solar power panels appeal to different people for different reasons. Some people may find them desirable because they wish to do all they can to save the environment. Others simply want to do all they can to save money. Still others just love to keep up with new technologies.

Whatever the reason, a variety of people use solar panels as an energy resource for their homes or businesses.

Along with the different reasons for choosing solar technology in general, people have different specific needs which require different types of solar power panels. Utilizing solar panels for outdoor lighting is a common use. Purchasing portable versions to power chargers is another preference.

Permanent business, home, boat, or RV installations of entire systems are a more major investment.

Depending on where in the country a home or business is located, more or less solar power panels will be required to create the same amountof energy. For instance, someone who lives near the equator in a bright and sunny desert will need far fewer solar power panels than someone who lives in a cloudy city further from the equator. This is especially true during the winter. Nonetheless, both of these locations are very suitable for the production of solar power - where there is sun, it follows that there can be solar power.

Silicon is mounted beneath non-reflective glass to produce photovoltaic panels. These panels collect photons from the sun, converting them into DC electrical power. The power created then flows into an inverter. The inverter transforms the power into basic voltage and AC electrical power.

That is a very brief explanation, but some may prefer a more in depth answer the question, “How do solar panels work?” Here is the more detailed response, though it still remains fairly basic:

To start off, it is crucial that silicon be better explained. Silicon has four electrons in its outer shell. However, it has the capacity rto hold eight. By sharing these four electrons with other silicon atoms and their four shell electrons, the capacity of eight is filled. When they combine with each other in this way, silicon atoms develop a strong, stable bond. This structure is known as pure, crystalline silicon.

Of course, this pure silicon is a poor conductor of electricity, as there are no electrons free to move about. In other words, the silicon is better off with impurities. To create these impurities, silicon is combined with something else.

When silicon combines with an element that has five electrons to share, such as phosphorus, a negative charge is created. Silicon can only take four of the five electrons. This leaves one free electron looking for a spot. These additional electrons are known as free carriers; they carry an electrical current.

On the other hand, when silicon is combined with an element that has three electrons a positive charge is created. Boron is a material which suits this purpose. When silicon and boron are combined, holes are created.

These silicon combinations and their differing charges are used to make solar panels. As photons come down from the sunlight and strike the silicon, it shakes everything up. The free electron that was hanging onto the silicon/phosphorous combination is now forced to the outer ring. From here, it gets sucked up to the outer ring of the silicon/boron combination. This is how electricity is created.