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[[File:SolarpanelBp.JPG|right|thumb|Electric solar panel at a [[Germany|German]] autobahn bridge.]]
[[File:Vakuumroehrenkollektor 01.jpg|thumb|right|Solar panel for heat]]
[[File:SolarFachwerkhaus.jpg|thumb|right|Solar panel on old timber-framed house]]
'''Solar panels''' get [[energy]] from the [[sun]] to create [[electricity]]. Solar panels make [[renewable energy]]. A common misconception about solar panels is that they produce energy from the sun's [[heat]]. They actually produce energy from the sun's [[light]]. Unlike a [[generator]], a solar panel is a [[solid state]] way of producing electricity, meaning that it has no moving parts. Solar panels are often mounted on rooftops. Commercial or industrial installations are often on trackers mounted on the ground. The trackers point the panel towards the sun as the sun moves across the sky. Solar panels are also commonly used in [[outer space]], where they are one of the few power sources available.
As far as a single solar panel can produce just limited amount of power, many installations contain several panels. This is known as a [[photovoltaics|photovoltaic array]]. A photovoltaic installation typically includes an array of solar panels, an [[inverter]], [[Rechargeable battery|rechargeable batteries]] (for use at night), a charge controller (a device that prevents the batteries from over-charging), two [[GFCI]] [[circuit breaker]]s (one before the inverter and one after), and interconnection [[Wire|wiring]]. There is sometimes also a [[transformer]] after the inverter, which allows 240 volt [[split phase]] appliances (such as a clothes dryer or oven) to be used (the transformer is often part of the inverter and can't be seen). Everything past the inverter (or transformer if there is one) is set up like a normal utility-fed installation (breaker panel, [[Electric lamp|lights]], [[Electrical outlet|outlets]], [[switch]]es, etc.). If there is no transformer, only 120 volt devices may be used. Installations without a transformer must be labelled as such on the breaker panel to alert future electricians that 240 volt appliances can not be installed. Some installations have direct current (DC) lighting and possibly DC appliances. The advantage of this is that for DC loads, the losses in the inverter are avoided. These installations will have a separate DC breaker panel connected before the inverter. For [[Electrical safety|safety]] reasons, DC wiring cannot be run in the same conduit as AC wiring, and DC outlets must not accept an AC plug and vice versa.
== Installation ==
Photovoltaic solar panels come in many different [[voltage]]s. The most common are 12 volts, 24 volts, and 48 volts. Like [[Battery|batteries]], multiple solar panels can be connected together to produce higher voltages, for example, two 48 volt panels connected together would produce 96 volts. The inverter, batteries, and solar panels in a system are usually all of the same voltage. The advantage of a higher-voltage system is that thinner wire is used, which is less expensive and easier to pull through [[Electrical conduit|conduit]]. The disadvantage of a higher-voltage installation is that [[electric shock]] and [[arc flash]] become more of a hazard, so installations above 48 volts are usually only found in solar power plants or commercial buildings.
There are two types of solar panels, those that collect heat (thermal), and those that produce electricity (photovoltaic). Heat from solar panels is often used for space heating and for hot water. Electric solar panels are usually made from a series of [[solar cell]]s
Solar panels for heat are usually made from a box with a clear window on top. Pipes run through the box. The pipes and the box are usually painted black because black absorbs more heat than other colors. The pipes are filled with a heat transfer fluid such as water or oil. A pump circulates the fluid, which heats up as it is exposed to the sun. When the hot fluid leaves the panel, it goes into a heat exchanger, which transfers the heat into water or air. After the now cool fluid leaves the heat exchanger, it is pumped back up into the panel to collect heat again.
== Solar shingles ==
Solar shingles are a new type of solar panel that look like ordinary asphalt [[roof]] shingles. They are used where the appearance of traditional solar panels might be undesirable, such as on residential rooftops. Solar shingles are more expensive and less durable than normal solar panels.
==Related pages==
*[[International Space Station]]
{{Solar power}}
[[Category:Solar energy]]
[[Category:Heat]]
[[Category:Electricity]]
[[File:Vakuumroehrenkollektor 01.jpg|thumb|right|Solar panel for heat]]
[[File:SolarFachwerkhaus.jpg|thumb|right|Solar panel on old timber-framed house]]
'''Solar panels''' get [[energy]] from the [[sun]] to create [[electricity]]. Solar panels make [[renewable energy]]. A common misconception about solar panels is that they produce energy from the sun's [[heat]]. They actually produce energy from the sun's [[light]]. Unlike a [[generator]], a solar panel is a [[solid state]] way of producing electricity, meaning that it has no moving parts. Solar panels are often mounted on rooftops. Commercial or industrial installations are often on trackers mounted on the ground. The trackers point the panel towards the sun as the sun moves across the sky. Solar panels are also commonly used in [[outer space]], where they are one of the few power sources available.
As far as a single solar panel can produce just limited amount of power, many installations contain several panels. This is known as a [[photovoltaics|photovoltaic array]]. A photovoltaic installation typically includes an array of solar panels, an [[inverter]], [[Rechargeable battery|rechargeable batteries]] (for use at night), a charge controller (a device that prevents the batteries from over-charging), two [[GFCI]] [[circuit breaker]]s (one before the inverter and one after), and interconnection [[Wire|wiring]]. There is sometimes also a [[transformer]] after the inverter, which allows 240 volt [[split phase]] appliances (such as a clothes dryer or oven) to be used (the transformer is often part of the inverter and can't be seen). Everything past the inverter (or transformer if there is one) is set up like a normal utility-fed installation (breaker panel, [[Electric lamp|lights]], [[Electrical outlet|outlets]], [[switch]]es, etc.). If there is no transformer, only 120 volt devices may be used. Installations without a transformer must be labelled as such on the breaker panel to alert future electricians that 240 volt appliances can not be installed. Some installations have direct current (DC) lighting and possibly DC appliances. The advantage of this is that for DC loads, the losses in the inverter are avoided. These installations will have a separate DC breaker panel connected before the inverter. For [[Electrical safety|safety]] reasons, DC wiring cannot be run in the same conduit as AC wiring, and DC outlets must not accept an AC plug and vice versa.
== Installation ==
Photovoltaic solar panels come in many different [[voltage]]s. The most common are 12 volts, 24 volts, and 48 volts. Like [[Battery|batteries]], multiple solar panels can be connected together to produce higher voltages, for example, two 48 volt panels connected together would produce 96 volts. The inverter, batteries, and solar panels in a system are usually all of the same voltage. The advantage of a higher-voltage system is that thinner wire is used, which is less expensive and easier to pull through [[Electrical conduit|conduit]]. The disadvantage of a higher-voltage installation is that [[electric shock]] and [[arc flash]] become more of a hazard, so installations above 48 volts are usually only found in solar power plants or commercial buildings.
There are two types of solar panels, those that collect heat (thermal), and those that produce electricity (photovoltaic). Heat from solar panels is often used for space heating and for hot water. Electric solar panels are usually made from a series of [[solar cell]]s
Solar panels for heat are usually made from a box with a clear window on top. Pipes run through the box. The pipes and the box are usually painted black because black absorbs more heat than other colors. The pipes are filled with a heat transfer fluid such as water or oil. A pump circulates the fluid, which heats up as it is exposed to the sun. When the hot fluid leaves the panel, it goes into a heat exchanger, which transfers the heat into water or air. After the now cool fluid leaves the heat exchanger, it is pumped back up into the panel to collect heat again.
== Solar shingles ==
Solar shingles are a new type of solar panel that look like ordinary asphalt [[roof]] shingles. They are used where the appearance of traditional solar panels might be undesirable, such as on residential rooftops. Solar shingles are more expensive and less durable than normal solar panels.
==Related pages==
*[[International Space Station]]
{{Solar power}}
[[Category:Solar energy]]
[[Category:Heat]]
[[Category:Electricity]]