The amount of sunlight the earth gets for an hour and a half is sufficient to take care of the energy needs of the entire world for a year. This energy source leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and combats climate change. This shows how vital solar power is becoming as the days pass by. The adoption of solar power is on a tremendous rise across the globe, and India is one of the major beneficiaries. If we take a sneak peek in recent years, India has progressed greatly when it comes to solar energy as a renewable energy source. It is a fabulous eco-friendly source of energy as it converts sunlight, which is basically unlimited in nature. This article will detail the mechanics behind solar power generation and will let you know how you can benefit from solar power.
What are Solar panels?
Simply said, solar panels are devices that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. These solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells, glass, and a metal frame. The most common type of solar cells used is made from crystalline silicon. This is treated with elements like phosphorous and boron to create something called a p-n junction. This junction is important because it generates an electric field that makes the flow of electricity smoother when exposed to sunlight.
With that being said, let us shift our focus to photovoltaic cells for a moment. These are the core components of solar panels. Without them, light energy cannot be converted into electricity. Sunlight energizes electrons, causing them to become activated and mobile. This excitement creates electron-hole pairs. The electric current separates the charge carriers, resulting in an electric flow. Without PV cells, solar panels are simply functionless.
How Do Solar Panels Generate Electricity
1. Absorption of Sunlight
The process begins with the absorption of sunlight, which occurs when sunlight or photons strike the surface of a solar cell, a series of interactions.
The silicon atoms absorb the photons with enough energy. This excites the electrons and allows them to break free from their bonds. This creates electron-hole pairs. The freed electrons carry a negative charge while the absence of electrons creates holes with a positive charge.
This phenomenon creates electron-hole pairs, where the freed electrons carry a negative charge while the absence of electrons creates holes with a positive charge. The electric field built into the solar cell separates these charges. And that is how the flow of electrons is directed toward the external circuit.
2. The Photovoltaic Effect
This effect is the fundamental process by which electrons create electric current in solar cells, all thanks to photovoltaic technology. The electrons within the semiconductor material are energised when sunlight strikes the PV cell. This energy allows the creation of electron-hole pairs.
Once freed, the electric field created at the p-n junction controls the movement of electrons toward the n-type layer and holes toward the p-type layer. As electrons move through an external circuit to return to the position they were before, they generate an electric current.
3. Creation of Electric Field
An electric field is created in solar cells by the interaction between p-type and n-type silicon layers. Using elements like born, the -type silicon is doped to create holes. On the other hand, n-type silicon is doped with elements like phosphorous. This results in excess free electrons.
The electrons from the n-type layer move into the p-type layer when these two silicon layers are put in contact. This leads to the filling of some of the holes and this movement creates something called a depletion zone. A depletion zone is basically a zone where there are no free-charge carriers. This results in the creation of an internal electric field. This electric is important because it separates the electron-hole pairs.
4. Generating Direct Current (DC)
As we have seen the flow of electrons earlier, we should know that they move in a unidirectional manner. That is, they move from the negative side to the positive side. As a result, the flow of electric charge is continuous. This kind of flow is something that can be found in DC electricity. In the case of AC, however, the flow is reversed periodically.
5. Inversion to Alternating Current (AC)
Direct current is converted into alternating current using an inverter. Something known as an H-Bridge is used in inverters which helps in the conversion. The H-Bridge rapidly switches the DC power’s direction. This is essentially mimicking the behaviour of AC.
6. Distribution and Usage
After the electricity is generated and converted into AC, it is distributed to homes and the electrical grid. In homes and other residential settings, AC is used for household appliances, lighting, and heating systems. This reduces the reliance on the grid and lowers bills. Furthermore, owners can keep track of their energy consumption through meters.
Excess electricity produced during sunny days can be supplied back to the grid. The process of doing so is known as net metering. Owners can receive credits for the contribution they make in the form of excess electricity. And the said credits can be used in the future to lower the electricity bills.
Moreover, there are some systems that use battery storage to store excess energy. The stored energy can be used at a later time as backup power, generally during outages or at night.
What are solar plants?
A solar power plant is a facility that converts solar radiation, consisting of light, heat, and ultraviolet radiation, into electricity which is suitable to be used in homes and industries.
The process of electricity production in a solar plant is ecological and it is the most efficient renewable energies that currently exist.
Depending on its operating system, there are two main types of solar plants: solar thermal power plants and solar photovoltaic plants.
What’s the difference between solar PV panels and solar thermal panels?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal panels serve different purposes when using solar energy.
Solar PV panels convert sunlight directly into electricity using the photovoltaic effect. Solar thermal panels capture sunlight to generate heat, typically for heating water.
In terms of efficiency, solar thermal systems are more efficient compared to solar PV systems.
In terms of space, when compared to solar PV panels, thermal panels do not need much roof space. They can reach the same level of energy output with smaller roof spaces.
Technologically speaking, solar thermal panels are simpler than PV panels. Because of this simplicity, maintenance requirements and costs over time can be reduced.
Depending on the size of the installation, a solar PV panel can be more expensive than a thermal PV panel.
Solar energy in India
The Sun has been worshiped as a life-giver to our planet since ancient times in India. And with the understanding of converting sunlight into electricity gifted us with the most sustainable energy.
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat are leading states in solar generation, contributing significantly to India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Many government schemes have been launched in India to encourage the usage of solar energy. India is rapidly advancing its solar energy landscape through strategic government initiatives like the PM Kusum Yojana, Decentralized Renewable Energy Program (DREPB), and captive solar power schemes.
Under the emerging renewable energy landscape and DREPM scheme, KPI Energy offers a strategic solar plant investment model. By investing ₹3.31 Cr. for a 1 MWp solar installation with 100% equity, investors can potentially generate approximately ₹3,81,134 monthly revenue in the initial 5-year operational period.
If you grab this opportunity to invest in renewable energy, you can expect a huge benefit while making a difference on the plant.
These comprehensive programs aim to promote renewable energy adoption, reduce electricity costs, and support India’s ambitious goal. By offering financial incentives and targeting both rural and urban sectors, the government is transforming India’s energy infrastructure and driving sustainable development.
Benefits of Solar Power
Needless to say, solar power is way better for the environment than any other power generators that use fossil fuels. Because of the increased usage of solar power, greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced greatly. And, as a result of which, the carbon footprint is lowered.
On the other hand, solar power is a great choice when you are looking at it from an economic standpoint. Because of the reduced electricity bills and potential income from net metering, you can rest assured economically when using solar power
Conclusion
To wrap things up, solar power is a great choice if you are looking for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to generate power. Through a sophisticated and advanced process, solar power not only reduces carbon emissions and combats the changing climate. With the rise of solar power in India, it is best if you can partner with a reliable solar power company to work toward sustainability and contribute to a cleaner and greener future.
Want to utilize the power of Solar energy?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans: Solar power is energy harnessed from sunlight using solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) cells. It is converted into electricity for use in homes, businesses, and other applications.
Ans: Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. When sunlight hits the cells, it excites electrons, generating an electric current which is then used to power electrical devices.
Ans: Photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, are the building blocks of solar panels. They are made from semiconductor materials like silicon, which produce electricity when exposed to sunlight through the photovoltaic effect.
