Solar cells also called photovoltaic cells are devices that change solar energy into electricity.
Explanation of solar panels for kids.
A common misconception about solar panels is that they produce energy from the sun s heat.
Solar panels make renewable energy.
The sun has produced energy for billions of years.
These cells are made of semi conductive materials most often silicon a material that can conduct electricity while maintaining the electrical imbalance needed to create an electric field.
Solar power is also clean power that doesn t generate a lot of pollution.
They actually produce energy from the sun s light.
It has mirrors that focus large amounts of solar energy into a small area.
The amount of sunlight that reaches earth varies depending on location time of day time of year and weather conditions.
Solar power can be used for heat energyor converted into electric energy.
Solar pv panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity.
The steam can be used to make electricity in a power plant.
A solar inverter helps turn the electricity into power that can be used.
Solar panels do not generate electricity directly.
Solar cells use the sun s light rather than its heat.
Here a concentration of the sun s energy by many panels is used.
When the sun shines on a solar cell the cell turns the light energy into electricity.
The sun shines on the solar panels and the panels absorb the energy creating direct current dc electricity.
Solar panels solar panels are different to solar cells.
Unlike a generator a solar panel is a solid state way of producing electricity meaning that it has no moving parts.
With a few simple activities you can help your kids understand and have some fun while you re at it.
This heat can be used to make steam.
A solar furnace can produce temperatures of up to 3 630 f 2 000 c.
There is also the solar thermal power plant.
Solar energy is a part of our everyday lives.
The water is heated by heat energy from the sun and returns to the tank.
Once the sun hits the panels the energy is made into electricity.
The more panels you have on a roof the more solar electricity you produce.
The average home or business can have 50 75 of the power they use come from solar energy.
Solar power is power generated directly from sunlight.
The best way to teach kids about the sun and its energy is by discovering more about our solar system and what energy means.
These cells are often joined to form solar panels.
Instead they heat up water directly.
However groups of solar cells can provide electricity.
This converts the current into alternating current ac electricity.
Maybe you ve seen solar panels sitting on the.
A single solar cell makes only a little electricity.
Solar energy is a complex concept to explain but you don t need a physics degree to do it.
This makes solar power a renewable energy source.
Kid friendly solar energy facts the sun is full of energy and solar energy comes from sunlight that reaches earth.
Before you can understand how solar panels work you need some knowledge about the sun itself.
The electricity is fed into what is called a solar inverter.
Renewable energy when we use solar power we don t use any of the earth s resources like coal or oil.
They are often located on the roofs of buildings where they can receive the most sunlight.
