What Are Solar Panels And How Do They Work

Joseph asks…

What are Solar Panels? and how do they work?

Sam Deane answers:

Solar panels absorb energy from the sun and then converts it to energy that you can use. Its obviously a renewable source, so its very good for the enviorment! Unfortunately theyre expensive and there arent many of them.

Betty asks…

If someone wants a career doing energy audits of homes and businesses and installing solar panels, what job?

I would like to do energy audits of homes and businesses and figure out how much energy they use and in what ways they could reduce energy output. Also I would like to install the things that I suggest, such as solar panels and solar water heaters, etc. I would like to work for myself. What kind of career would this be called and what kind of education would I have to get?

Sam Deane answers:

This would be called a low end, non-skilled job. People who do this work for solar panel dealers, and are typically trained on the job. It’s not much above minimum wage, and the only decent career path is in someday owning your own business.

For that, a business degree would suit you better than any tech degree.

An AS in electronics would prepare you for the job you described.

Did I mention that it’s a low end, low paid job, with not much future?

David asks…

what do i need to know when purchasing solar panels?

im looking into the cost and benefit of having a solar panel system to aid my business. wondering if anyone out there can tell me basic information on how they work and how i would decide on what kind to buy, and where to buy them? any information or links to information would be much appreciated!! thank you very much!

Sam Deane answers:

You need to talk with people who are already knowledgable in the field, and in the business of designing systems for a specific set of location, conditions, applications, and goals. Government incentives make a big difference in evaluating choices. Those vary widely by country and even state within country.

Sandy asks…

Obama “Green” Energy plan – your thoughts?

Here’s a link to Obama’s energy plan: http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/factsheet_energy_speech_080308.pdf

Here’s what I think:

Whilst I am sure Obama wants CLEAN, SAFE energy,
I am far from certain the people are going to get it.

There is no such thing as “safe nuclear power…”

Obama should offer incentives to industry so they develop handy, efficient alternative energy production and storage kits, using a wise combination of solar (especially for hot countries) (round cells / collectors embedded in roofs, walls… not panels) (note: solar work on day-light), wind (i.e. mini-turbines, with paddles, not blades), and water power (EG. water wheels fitted in mains pipes) – there is plenty of profit to be made selling these and the savings made by not investing in a new grid will more than cover incentive payments.

This way, domestic and business users will be self-sufficient and the USA will have Energy Security i.e. nobody will suffer power cuts
EG. during ice storms, flooding…

Investment in solar technology really needs to be stepped up hugely.
If we find the perfect way to a) create light b) use photons to generate electricity c) store that power – all our transport needs will be solved.

That energy source could also take us to Mars and beyond.
So instead of politicians concentrating on how to keep fossil-fuel suppliers in the money, and protecting that, whilst ignoring market needs, Obama should prepare the USA
(and the rest of the world)
for the new generation of transport which does not require the carrying of flammable / explosive fuel, which is very heavy…

(More FREE info. my website: http://www.the-alternative.org.uk Chapter 6:Energy / Alternative)

http://www.physorg.com/news111670954.html

E.F.Hutton: I strongly disagree with your answer. We do get electricity from light – that is how solar works.
And I repeat, nuclear power is NOT safe. “If the public knew the facts and if they were allowed to chose between nuclear power stations and candles, they would chose candles.”

Sam Deane answers:

I really disagree with the above poster. It’s always productive to search and try new methods to solving our problems. It’s how science works. We may invest a great deal of time and effort into a single promising approach only to have it fail in the end. But then we’d know more and can better prepare a new one.

My only complaint is that Obama seems determined for our renewable energy sources to be developed here. There are actually two very promising energy plans being done in the UK and Canada atm. One involves tides and the other man made tornadoes. It made not be made in America but good ideas are good ideas regardless of where they come from.

Fuels for cars do need to be reliable and rather set as they require massive amounts of infrastructure. But what the above poster fails at realizing is that what is needed is a better way to produce electricity. If we can do that in a cleaner fashion it’s much easier to make use of cars that can use existing and proven technology.

Ruth asks…

Can I connect a solar panel directly to an inverter?

I’m working on a small project where I can connect low voltage/watts equipment using an inverter connected directly to my solar panels. I know you can connect them directly to each other but what is the power ratio to run the inverter and its load….meaning. If i want to run a 100 watt 12V inverter, what solar panel(wattage/amps/voltage) do i need. How much amps/voltage do i need from the solar panels to make the inverter work, with and without load?

Sam Deane answers:

Normally it is not connected directly because the voltage and current output from the panel is fluctuating as it is entirely dependent on the sun’s rays.
So the solar panel is therefore connected via a “Charge Controller” to a 12V lead acid battery to charge it.
The battery is then connected to the inverter.

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