Solar Cells
Have you wondered that you can use calculators without batteries? In this age of technological revolution where saving energy and using renewable sources of energy are stressed, it is indeed possible to save energy if you use solar powered products. Not only they are environment friendly but they have many more advantages to them. Solar powered products such as solar calculators, watches, radio are already popular in the existing market.
Solar cells are semi conductor devices which use sunlight to produce electricity. They are manufactured and processed in a similar fashion as computer memory chips. Solar cells are primarily made up of silicon which absorbs the photons emitted by sun’s rays. The process was discovered as early as 1839. Silicon wafers are doped and the electrical contacts are put in place to connect each solar cell to another. The resulting silicon disks are given an anti reflective coating. This coating protects sunlight loss. The solar cells are then encapsulated and placed in an aluminum frame. The process requires continuous monitoring to ensure quality control over a period of time. After the manufacturing process is complete they undergo final test to check their efficiency under normal conditions.
Solar cells provide more energy than other conventional sources with an additional advantage of being light weight and cost effective. Developing cheaper alternatives to solar cells such as amorphous silicon and polycrystalline silicon are also in the pipeline. Current research reveals that in order to increase the amount of sunlight effectively used and focusing it, prismatic lenses and layers of different materials could also be used. Solar cells manufactured in India are very reliable and the solar powered product can run unattended. The use of solar cells demands very little maintenance in their upkeep and are easy to install. You don’t need any wires or cords as with other conventional power sources. A wide range of solar products such as solar heating system, solar steam generators, solar lights, cabin kits, car battery chargers, calculators, solar cooking systems, power kits, power inverters, ventilators etc are available to the consumers today. Solar cells are also noiseless and non-polluting. We do not need heavy machines in the manufacturing process of solar cells and hence no carbon dioxide or other harmful greenhouse gases are produced in the process. They have good efficiency and are long lasting.
Some of the mail applications of solar cells and solar powered products are:
- The utility grids are used to supplement the energy requirements of electrical grids for the house or commercial purposes.
- To ensure continued power, solar cells could be used to charge battery back up systems.
- Underdeveloped and developing countries can specifically benefit from solar power where electric services have not been developed as yet.
- Solar panels can be used for electricity supply in remote areas.
- Solar cells are capable of replacing battery run products such torches, lamps, other luminaries, blinker, module laminator, controllers or solar vacuum tubes.
Solar cells cost in India is expected to fall because of ever increasing applications, so consumers can look forward to solar powered products as never before. Solar panels prices in India are also expected to fall due to the growth in solar industry and up coming technologies. Solar cells and solar products are becoming more and more commercially viable in the market with technological advancements and growing interest in greener solutions for future.
Working Of a Solar Cell
Solar energy is fast becoming one of the most sought after means for generating electricity. Green and clean, solar energy is one method that can help save a lot of money while paving way to ensure that our environment stays pollution free. Although, we have already done a lot of damage as far as exploiting our resources goes; however, as it is commonly said ‘it is never too late’. Now that the world has woken up to the dire need for protecting our environment, we must come together to opt for eco friendly ways in order to protect our environment.
Solar energy has a lot of potential for generating electricity and to suffice our daily requirements. For time immemorial, sunlight has been blessing us with the best of its virtues. With the advancement in the modern science, we have tapped into the power generation potential of the sun. We can benefit from the solar power by installing a few solar panels or solar cells on the rooftops for our individual energy requirements.
Solar cells are electrical devices in the solid form that help convert energy from sunlight into electric energy with the help of photovoltaic effect. When a number of solar cells are clustered together, they are called solar modules which together save energy from sunlight. When a cluster of solar modules are assembled at a place, it results in a solar panel. The energy generated from this integrated module group is referred as solar power. The solar cells are also known as photovoltaic cells or the PV cells. As the name itself suggests, photo means light while voltaic refer to electricity. In other words, photovoltaic cells can help tap into the potential of solar energy to generate electric current.
Before anyone gets to install these solar cells at roof tops, one wishes to know how does a solar cell work and what is the solar cell price? Solar energy is used to power a number of appliances that are solar power based. These appliances do not need electric power and do not even have switch off buttons in some cases. Solar cell working principle is simple. As long as sufficient sunlight is available, these solar cells work to power a number of solar appliances and also to generate electricity.
While there are some smaller solar equipment that require lesser solar energy to run, there are some larger solar units as well like the solar road signs, solar ad boards, solar lights in the parking lots among others. These systems require larger solar cell working. There was a time when solar photovoltaic cells were used only in space satellites; however, they are now being used in our day-to day lives, to satiate our energy requirements. The simple yet smart working of solar cells has made power available to run a number of systems. With every passing day, newer and more innovative products are entering the markets like the solar cars to the solar vehicle charging stations.
Solar cell working depends upon a framework of solar panels assembled together. These solar cells are made from special semiconductors like silicon which is most commonly used. When sunlight falls on the cell, it absorbs a part of this light through the semiconductor material. This energy thus sets the electron on the loose allowing them to flow freely. These solar cells also have another electric field which forces the electrons which are now free to absorb light and flow in a particular direction. This flow of the electrons is basically called the current and as we place a metal tool above the current or below the current, we can utilize this current for external usage for example to power a number of electrical appliances.
Albert Einstein had unraveled in 1905 the character of light and the photovoltaic effect which basically defines the working of solar cells or the photovoltaic technology. For this, he also won the Nobel Prize in physics. The working of solar cells has made it easy to power a range of different solar appliances. Despite of being the fastest growing nation when it comes to harnessing solar energy, India still has not been able to power the remotest areas and the rural areas of the country where people still live under stark darkness after the sun sets. The solar cell working is easy and therefore is also easy to maintain. This makes solar cells a viable choice to be installed at roof tops in households.
There are a number of benefits that nudge us to go ahead and to know the solar cell working. For one, solar cells help generate power which is not only free of cost but is also clean energy. Unlike other methods of producing power that result in a lot of green house gases and pollution, working of solar cells does not emit such harmful gases, thus curtailing the pollution level in the environment. Also, sunlight comes for free. We do not pay sun in return for the sunlight given by it. Therefore, it becomes a free of cost affair. Although, the installation of solar cells might require some capital; however, that is it. There is no more money required to produce power from solar energy. Apart from this, government of several nations give out tax rebates to the people who invest in these solar appliances and solar cells. This makes it all the more a beneficial thing.
Most people shy away from investing in solar power systems because they think that it requires a lot of money. There is no denying the fact that there is money involved, but in a few months’ time or in a few years’ depending upon the usage, these solar panels pay for their own price and help you save a lot of money thereafter as it puts an end to the tradition of paying sky high electricity bills. In addition to this, installing solar panels also helps you give a helping hand in reducing the energy dependence of India on the other nations, thus making it a national cause.