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Solar Panels

Solar panels mainly come in two different forms. The first is the photovoltaic (PV) variety. This is the type for which the term is more commonly technically applied. A photovoltaic panel works to convert sunlight directly into electricity for a variety of applications.

PV solar panels consist of many solar cells. Each cell is created from a semi-conductor material such as silicon. In fact, silicon is the most popular choice today. Although this material is widely available on our planet, processing it so that its powers are capable of being harnessed requires some significant expenses. This is the reason for the notable costs associated with PV technology.

Solar panels can also be thermal collectors. These are intended to absorb sunlight for the purpose of providing heat. Generally, the specific term used for these is "collector" to avoid confusion with photovoltaic arrays. However, solar hot water panels are a common exception to this rule.

 

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