Solar power generation with light wave solar panels

What is solar energy & how does it work?

Solar energy is defined as the radiant light and heat that comes from the sun. This energy, in its essence, is limitless and renewable, serving as a primary driver for life on Earth. In practical terms, solar energy can be converted into electricity or heat for various applications.

How do solar panels work?

Light behaves as both a wave and a particle—a duality that forms the basis for how solar panels work. Each “particle” of light, known as a photon, carries a discrete amount of energy determined by its frequency, and when these photons strike certain materials, they can release electrons—a principle at the core of solar power.

How do different wavelengths of light affect solar cells?

There is limited research on how different wavelengths of light affect solar cells, and researchers have come to conflicting conclusions. Determining the most efficient wavelength of light would allow us to improve solar panel efficiency and make panels more cost-effective and desirable for adoption by the general public.

What is the wavelength of a solar cell?

w = h c E = 1, 110 nanometers = 1.11 × 10 6 meters The wavelengths of visible light occur between 400 and 700 nm, so the bandwidth wavelength for silicon solar cells is in the very near infrared range. Any radiation with a longer wavelength, such as microwaves and radio waves, lacks the energy to produce electricity from a solar cell.