The principle of operation of a solar battery and its device

Relatively recently, the idea of providing private homes with electricity autonomously was considered fantastic. Today this is an objective reality. In Europe, solar panels have been used for a long time, because this is an inexhaustible source of cheap energy. At us reception of an electricity from such devices only gets popularity. This process is not too fast, and the reason for that is the high cost of them.

The principle of operation of a solar battery is based on the fact that in two silicon wafers coated with various substances (boron and phosphorus), an electric current arises under the influence of sunlight. In the plate, which is covered with phosphorus, free electrons appear. Missing particles are formed in those plates that are covered with boron. Electrons begin to move under the influence of sunlight. Thus, an electric current is formed in solar batteries. The thin cores of copper, with which each battery is covered, is removed from it by a current and directed to its destination.

With a single plate, you can power a small light bulb. The conclusion suggests itself. To ensure that the solar panels provide the house with electricity of sufficient power, it is necessary that their area is quite large.

Silicon mechanisms

So, the principle of solar battery operation is understandable. The current is generated by the action of ultraviolet light on special plates. If silicon is used as a material for creating such plates, the batteries are called silicon (or silicic).

Such plates require very complex production systems. This, in turn, greatly affects the cost of products.

Silicon solar batteries are of different types.

Single-crystal transducers

Are panels with bevelled corners. Their color is always pure black.

Speaking of single-crystal converters, the principle of solar cell operation can be briefly described as an average effective one. All cells of photosensitive elements of such a battery are directed in one direction. This allows you to get the highest result among such systems. The efficiency of batteries of this type reaches 25%.

The downside is that such panels should always face the sun.

If the sun hides behind clouds, falls to the horizon, or has not yet ascended, the batteries will produce a current of rather low power.

Polycrystalline

The plates of these mechanisms are always square, dark blue. The composition of their surface includes non-uniform silicon crystals.

The efficiency of polycrystalline batteries is not as high as that of single-crystal models. It can reach 18%. However, this disadvantage is compensated by the merits, which will be discussed below.

The principle of operation of this type of solar battery makes it possible to produce them not only from pure silicon, but also from secondary materials. This explains some of the defects found in the equipment. A distinctive feature of the mechanisms of this type is that they can efficiently generate electric current even in cloudy weather. Such a useful quality makes them indispensable in places where diffuse sunlight is a common everyday occurrence.

Amorphous panels of silicon

Amorphous panels are cheaper than others, this determines the principle of the solar battery and its device. Each panel consists of several thin layers of silicon. They are made by spraying particles of material in a vacuum onto foil, glass or plastic.

The efficiency of the panels is much smaller than that of the previous models. It reaches 6%. Silicon layers quickly burn out in the sun. Already after six months of using these batteries their efficiency will drop by 15%, and sometimes on all 20.

Two years of work completely exhaust the resource of active substances, and the panel will need to be changed.

But there are two advantages, because of which these batteries still buy. First, they work even in cloudy weather. Secondly, as already mentioned, they are not as expensive as other options.

Photoconverters of hybrid type

Amorphous silicon is the basis for the location of microcrystals. The principle of the solar battery makes it similar to a polycrystalline panel. The difference between batteries of this type is that they are able to produce an electric current of greater power in conditions of scattered sunlight, for example, on an overcast day or at dawn.

In addition, batteries operate under the influence of not only sunlight, but also in the infrared spectrum.

Polymer film solar converters

This alternative to silicon panels has every chance to take a leading position in the solar cell market. They resemble a film consisting of several layers. Among them, we can distinguish a network of aluminum conductors, a polymer layer of the active substance, an organic substrate and a protective film.

Such photocells combined with each other form a film-type solar battery of a roll type. These panels are lighter and more compact than silicon ones. When they are manufactured, expensive silicon is not used, and the production process itself is not so expensive. This makes the roll bar cheaper than all others.

The principle of the solar battery makes their efficiency not too high.

It reaches 7%.

The process of manufacturing panels of this type is reduced to multilayer printing on the photocell film. Production is arranged in Denmark.

Another advantage is the ability to cut a roll-up battery and customize it to any size and shape.

Minus only one. Batteries have just begun to produce, so it's still not easy to get them. But there is reason to believe that these elements will quickly gain a well-deserved good reputation among consumers, which will give manufacturers the opportunity to establish production on a larger scale.

Heating by solar energy houses

The principle of operation of a solar battery for heating a house fundamentally distinguishes them from all the devices described above. This is a completely different device. The description follows below.

The main part of the heating system working on solar energy is a collector that receives its light and converts it into kinetic energy. The area of this element can vary from 30 to 70 square meters.

A special technique is used to fasten the collector. Between the plates are connected by metal contacts.

The next component of the system is a storage boiler. In it, the kinetic energy transforms into thermal energy. It participates in heating water, the capacity of which can reach 300 liters. Sometimes such systems are supported by additional boilers on dry fuel.

Complete the solar heating system, wall and floor elements, in which heated copper fluid circulates through thin copper pipes distributed throughout their area. Due to the low temperature of the start-up of panels and the uniformity of heat transfer, the room heats up quickly enough.

How does solar heating work?

Let's take a closer look at the principle of the operation of solar cells from ultraviolet light.

There is a difference between the temperature of the collector and the storage element. The heat carrier, which is most often water, in which antifreeze is added, begins to circulate about the system. The work done by the liquid is precisely the kinetic energy.

As the liquid passes through the layers of the system, the kinetic energy is converted into heat, which is used to heat the house. This process of circulation of the carrier provides room with heat and allows you to save it at any time of the day or year.

So, we found out the principle of solar cells.