How do Solar Panels work?

Simply put, a solar panel works by allowing photons (particles of light) to knock electrons free from atoms, thus generating a flow of electricity. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units called photovoltaic cells. (Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity.) Many cells linked together make up a solar panel.

First, light strikes a photovoltaic cell and is absorbed by the semiconducting material it is made from. Each photovoltaic cell is basically a sandwich made up of two slices of semi-conducting material, (usually silicon). These incoming photons cause electrons in the silicon to be knocked loose, which will eventually become the solar electricity you can use in your home.

There are two layers of silicon used in photovoltaic cells, and each one is specially treated, or “doped”, to create an electric field, meaning one side has a net positive charge and one has a net negative charge. This electric field causes loose electrons to flow in one direction through the solar cell, generating an electrical current.

Once an electrical current is generated by loose electrons, metal plates on the sides of each solar cell collect those electrons and transfer them to wires. which flow as electricity through the wiring to a solar inverter and then throughout your home.

Project Pumps has sourced quality solar collector equipment from SDA and we are able to offer two options.

  • Pacific Solar: The first being the Evacuated Tube type manufactured by Pacific Solar. These units come with a 10 year factory guarantee.
    The number of tubes required is based on the volume of the geyser.
  • Powerz-On: The second option is the Powerz-On Flat plate collector. These units are manufactured locally and come with a 10 year factory guarantee.
    The size of the collector required is based on the volume of the geyser.