Solar Panel is a broad term for gathering energy from the sun. It could be Photo Voltaic, or Thermal. A thermal panel is often used to heat a swimming pool. It consists of plastic tubing laid out in a black case to directly heat water or oil. The Photo Voltaic panels are batteries that convert photons into electrical potential and current.
Solar panel refers to a panel designed to absorb the sun's rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating.
Solar panels are devices that convert light into electricity. They are called solar panels because most of the time, the most powerful source of light available is the Sun, called Sol by astronomers. Some scientists call them photovoltaics which means, basically, light-electricity. A solar panel is a collection of solar cells. Lots of small solar cells spread over a large area can work together to provide enough power to be useful. The more light that hits a cell, the more electricity it produces, so spacecraft are usually designed with solar panels that can always be pointed at the Sun even as the rest of the body of the spacecraft moves around, much as a tank turret can be aimed independently of where the tank is going. DS's solar cells are even more efficient than regular solar panels made for satellites because they use solar concentrators.
Solar energy begins with the sun. Solar panels (also known as PV panels) are used to convert light from the sun, which is composed of particles of energy called photons, into electricity that can be used to power electrical loads. Solar panels can be used for a wide variety of applications including remote power systems for cabins, telecommunications equipment, remote sensing, and of course for the production of electricity by residential and commercial solar electric systems. On this page, we will discuss the history, technology, and benefits of solar panels. We will learn how solar panels work, how they are made, how they create electricity, and where you can buy solar panels.
