| Building solar panels is a relatively simple matter | | | | only go in one direction and that direction is 'out.' |
| because solar cells are modular. They are also | | | | So, each cell is designed to add their exiting |
| quite small. Solar cells that are used in residential | | | | electrons to the flow of electrons and with |
| solar panels is about twice the size of a bar | | | | enough cells and enough solar energy, you have |
| coaster or about four times the size of a playing | | | | an electrical current you can work with. |
| card. You can fit your hands around one quite | | | | See, building solar panels is not difficult but it is |
| easily. | | | | precise. The channels that absorb the electrons in |
| You begin building solar panels by connecting these | | | | each cell are lined up with every other channel in |
| cells in series and then connecting panels to one | | | | their particular group by means of a connecting |
| another. Then all that is left is to connect the solar | | | | tab, solder and flux. Once the cells are connected, |
| panel array to batteries and an inverter to power | | | | a surface layer of glass, plastic or laminate (or a |
| your house. | | | | some combination) is layed over the top to |
| Solar cells or photovoltaic cells, as we'll call them | | | | protect them, all the moisture is removed (to |
| here, convert solar energy into electric energy. | | | | avoid condensation which would interfere with the |
| Now, you knew that but in order to understand | | | | panel's efficiency) and the panels are placed into |
| the way building solar panels works, you need to | | | | position and connected. |
| know how the electricity is made. | | | | From there, it is a simple matter of hooking up |
| Photons of light strike the semiconductor material | | | | the solar array to your house's electrical condition. |
| on the cell's surface, usually silicon, and in so doing | | | | In my mind, it goes without saying that you |
| knock an electron loose. There are two types of | | | | should hire a professional to do this. If you insist |
| silicon used to make a cell. They are both mixed | | | | on doing it yourself, I believe you still need a |
| with other elements which change their polarity. | | | | certified electrician to examine it to insure your |
| One type is negatively charged because it is | | | | work is up to code. In the event of an adverse |
| mixed with phosphorous and the other is | | | | electrical event (fire), you would want your house |
| positively charged because it is mixed with boron. | | | | to be up to code and in keeping with the |
| By putting together layers of silicon with different | | | | provisions of your home owner's insurance policy. |
| electrical charges, the incoming photons have an | | | | will answer an questions you might have on how |
| easier time of loosening up an electron and | | | | to put together your own solar panels for home |
| sending it looking for place to go. | | | | use. |
| The cells are engineered so that the electrons can | | | | |