Photovoltaic Solar Power for Dummies

Saying that you are no scientist or not mechanically inclined is not going to get you off the hook in understanding photovoltaic solar power. Our children in grade school are learning the fundamentals of photovoltaic solar power and we need to catch up to them.

The Simple Physics of Photovoltaic Solar Power

In order to remember the term, photovoltaic, think of it as two sections that come together to make one term, light-electricity. Photo is Greek for light and volt is named after Alessandro Volta, an electricity pioneer. Often abbreviated as PV, photovoltaic solar power refers to converting light energy into electrical power.

Is Photovoltaic Solar Power New?

French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered converting light energy into electrical energy, also called the photoelectric effect, in 1839 (and it has taken us how long to realize the benefits?).

Solar Cells are a Collector

PV cells are more commonly referred to as solar cells. When connected in a frame, they are known as PV modules. The PV modules are attached to other identical PV modules with wire and mounted to a surface, most times a roof at a specific angle. The wire brings the energy load down to an area where the power is dumped into batteries.

Crystalline Silicon as a Material for PV

Cells for photovoltaic solar power are usually made from crystalline silicon for a couple of reasons. This material has been used in the earliest successful PV devices and today, is the most widely used material because of its photoelectric flexibility.

Now that you have the jest of how photovoltaic solar power is made and works, the rest is easy to understand. Your current electric power needs should be measured or simply looking at your monthly electric bill will suffice. If your bill fluctuates during different seasons, this is due to motors and fans that operate heating and cooling systems.

Although photovoltaic solar power does not capture all of the power with crystalline silicon material, there is more than an ample supply that is captured in the cells instead of being bounced off of the surface. A retention rate in photovoltaic solar power of 55% does not mean that the cells are bad because they will never be at 100%. Anywhere between 30% and 55% is a good proportionate rate for contracting solar power.

Just like computers, there is knowledge that was not taught to many during early education but that doesn't mean that you cannot catch up. The bottom line is that photovoltaic solar power is nothing more that light being transferred into electricity. Once you get the jargon down and pass a few questions from your children, you will feel much more confident in your understanding of photovoltaic solar power.