A solar cell is made of silicon dioxide and the reaction of photons with the silicon dioxide causes an electron to move in the silicon dioxide.
Today you can even buy an air conditioner that is powered by solar cells during sunny days and at night you can run it from the backup batteries, which are recharged the next day.
Solar cells are made of two layers (a positive side and a negative side), when they are placed on top of each other they create an electric field, the same way a magnet does.
Developments in semiconductor technology have resulted in creating solar cells that are more efficient requiring less surface area to convert sunlight into power.
Installing a solar home lighting system is done through the use of solar cells that convert solar power into electrical power in your home. The cells are charged with solar energy during the day that can then be used for lighting at night in your home. Another great way to save on your electric bill.
Although the first solar power cell was made with gold and selenium, it was much more inefficient than the silicon solar power cells of today.
Given that efficiency of solar cells should increase and the costs will come down, it makes a lot of sense to get a solar panel for your home.
In general the use of solar is increasing throughout the world.
Solar panels are often warranted to maintain 80% of their efficiency for up to 25 years. Other parts will need to be replaced sooner, but if all goes well there should be no maintenance costs at all for the first five years.
At the moment the biggest hurdle in the expansion of solar power is cost.
© 2012 Householders Guide
