How Do Solar Panels Work?
Solar panels collect solar radiation from the sun and actively convert that energy into electricity. The panels are composed of several individual solar cells. When the solar cells are exposed to sunlight, the pn junction diodes convert the energy from sunlight into usable electricity. Energy is produced by photons hitting the surface of the solar panel, allowing electrons to be knocked off their orbits and released, and electric fields in solar cells pull these free electrons in the direction of current, where the metal contacts on the cell solar energy to produce electricity.
Photovoltaic effect is due to the properties of the pn junction diode, itself, and has no moving parts of the solar panel. The conditions of solar radiation is a measure of how much solar radiation the solar panel or surface receives. The higher the solar radiation, the larger the amount of solar energy converted into electricity by solar panel.
Other factors influencing the solar panels are out the weather, shadows caused by obstacles to direct sunlight and the angle and position of a solar panel installation. The panels work best when placed in direct sunlight, away from obstacles that could throw a shadow, and in areas with high solar radiation conditions. Efficiency can be optimized using systems that follow the sun in the sky position and rotate the solar panel to obtain the most direct exposure to the day as possible.