Solar Panels

What is a Solar Panel?

A solar panel is a semiconductor device that converts sunlight into direct current electricity, often referred to as called DC.  PV Modules are electrically configured groups of solar cells, PV modules are often used to charge batteries, operate direct current water pumps and direct current lighting.  Solar electricity panels can be used to power virtually anything with an electrical load. 

Solar Electricity Panel Invention-A Short History

The sun is an ideal power source; its ever-flowing rays provide a steady stream of reliable clean energy. The Greeks and Romans realized this and used the sun’s readily available power.  The Greeks and Romans used passive solar power to heat their homes.  They achieved this by building their homes in grid like patterns to effectively utilize heat and light. 

During the industrial revolution scientists and engineers were pursuing various methods to tap into solar power as an effective alternative to the coal-dependent steam engine.

In the early 1960’s, Auguste Mouchout invented the first solar motor. This invention turned into a steam engine that would run on solar energy. With coal becoming a cheap source of energy, his invention went almost unnoticed.  One of the pioneers of solar power was John Ericsson. He is the inventor of the parabolic trough collector. This design is still in use today.

In 1921, Albert Einstein was researching the photoelectric effect.  His efforts were recognized when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.  Russell Ohl was awarded the patent for the modern solar cell in 1941.

In the late 1950s, the first conventional photovoltaic cells were produced. Throughout the 1960s they were mainly used to provide electrical power for satellites. In the 1970s, improvements were made in manufacturing, performance and the quality of PV modules, which helped to reduce the overall cost. This advancement opened up a number of opportunities for powering other applications, including battery charging for navigational aids, signals, telecommunications equipment and other low-power needs.

In the 1980s, solar power became a popular power source for consumer electronic devices. Common applications included calculators, watches, radios, and other small battery-charging applications.  The energy crises of the 1970s prompted development of PV power systems for residential and commercial uses. These efforts were directed towards stand-alone remote power as well as for utility-connected applications. Also during the 1970’s, international applications for PV systems increased dramatically. This included applications for power to rural health clinics, refrigeration, water pumping, telecommunications, and off-grid households. Still today this remains a major portion of the present world market for PV products. The current production of PV modules is growing approximately 20-25 percent annually. Major programs in Europe, Japan and the US are rapidly expanding the use of PV systems on buildings and interconnection to utility networks.

How are Solar Electric Panels made?

PV cell fabrication begins with semiconductor-grade polysilicon.  Semiconductor-grade polysilicon is pure and processed from quartz, which is used throughout the electronics industry. First the polysilicon is heated to its melting temperature. Then, trace amounts of boron are included to create a positive-type semiconductor material. Ultimately this process produces a solid block of silicon. Wafers are then individually sliced using wire saws and then sent through the surface etching process. The wafers are then cleaned and inserted into a phosphorus diffusion furnace; this creates a thin negative type semiconductor layer that covers the entire exterior surface of the cells. The process continues by applying an anti-reflective coating to the top surface area of the cell.  Electrical contacts are then imprinted the negative surface area, aka the top portion of the cell. Next, a conductive aluminized material is deposited on the back surface area of each cell.  This process restores the positive type properties to the back of the cell.  Cells are then electrically tested and separated depending on their current output.  The PV cells are then electrically connected to cells with matching electrical qualities forming cell circuits; cell circuits are then assembled in solar modules.
What type of Residential & Commercial Solar Electricity Panels does SunTron stock? (H2 Tag)
SunTron Solar sells three types of Solar Panels. Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and Amorphous. Solar Panel efficiency is the percentage of solar energy that is captured and converted into electricity. We have included the average ratings percentage for each type of solar panel.  
Monocrystalline panels are the most efficient for absorbing sunlight and converting it to electricity. That also makes them the most expensive panel. They are a little more efficient in lower light conditions. They carry an average efficiency rating of 18%.
Polycrystalline Solar Electricity Panels are the most common solar panels being used. They are lower in cost but slightly less effective that the Monocrystalline panel. They carry an average efficiency rating of 15%.
Amorphous Solar Electric Panels have lower efficiency ratings than the other two panels. They carry an average efficiency rating of 10%. The only advantage of using this solar panel is that they will continue to charge while a part of the solar panel cells are in a shadow.

What brands of Commercial & Home Solar Electric Panels does SunTron stock?

BP Solar

Since the purchase of Lucas Energy Systems and Solarex (as part of the Amoco acquisition) in 1980, BP Solar has become a leading producer of the best solar electricity panels. BP Solar had a 20% world market share in photovoltaic panels in 2004 when it had a capacity to produce 90 MW/year of panels. It has over 30 years experience operating in over 160 countries with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Spain, India and Australia and has more than 2000 employees worldwide.

Sharp Solar

Sharp started the development of solar cells in 1959. In December of 2007, Sharp was the first company in the world to achieve a cumulative total of 2 GW (gigawatts) of solar power production. This solar power amounted to one quarter of all solar cells in the world being produced by Sharp.  

SunTech Power
Suntech Power is the world's largest producer of the best solar electric panels. Suntech Power has offices in every major solar market and has delivered solar products to more than 80 countries around the world.
Suntech Power has supplied or installed solar modules for numerous solar power plants and systems. Some of those installations include Alamosa Power Plant, Arizona State University, Beijing National Stadium, Elecnor Power plant, Masdar City, Ellis Air Force Base and Expo 2010 Shanghai. Suntech Energy Solutions division completed a 1.6 MW solar installation for Google in June 2007. Suntech Power and Israeli company Solarit Doral built Israel’s largest solar power station in the Israeli settlement of Katzrin in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights. This was a 50k rooftop project and was connected to the electricity grid in December 2008.

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