A relatively minor additional loss is due to earth’s atmosphere and clouds, which absorb or scatter as much as 54 percent of the incoming sunlight.
The sunlight that reaches the ground consists of nearly 50 percent visible light, 45 percent infrared radiation, and smaller amounts of ultraviolet and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.
HOW DOES SOLAR ENERGY WORK?
Solar panels are usually made from silicon, or another semiconductor material installed in a metal panel frame with a glass casing.
When this material is exposed to photons of sunlight (very small packets of energy) it releases electrons and produces an electric charge.
This PV charge creates an electric current (specifically, direct current or DC), which is captured by the wiring in solar panels.
This DC electricity is then converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter. AC is the type of electrical current used when you plug appliances into normal wall sockets.
when was solar energy discovered?
Experimenting with metal electrodes and an acidic solution, nineteen-year-old French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel creates the first solar cell, known as a photovoltaic cell, that could carry an electric current from light.
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FIRST SOLAR CELL IS CREATED
FIRST FUNCTIONING SOLAR PANELS
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, creates the first functioning solar panels with solar cells made from selenium wafers. Selenium was discovered to be photovoltaic by Willoughby Smith.
high-power silicon solar PV cell created
Mass production of solar panels
what are the benefits of solar energy?
MAKE BIG SAVINGS
By investing in Solar Energy Solutions you could save up to 72% per month on energy bills.
BE SELF SUFFICIENT
By investing in a Solar Energy Systems you avoid National Grid power outages.
STORE MORE ENERGY
By investing in Solar Energy Solutions you could store excess energy to utlise through the year.