How to generate energy from the Sun: solar PV in practice

Poland has observed a rapidly growing interest in solar panels. In October, the installed capacity of this technology reached a record high: 1 gigawatt. In order to understand the phenomenon of these energy sources, it is important to learn what PV solutions actually are.

Table of contents  Show

Harnessing the Sun

The term “photovoltaics” (“PV”) is used to describe both the technology and the field of science. The common denominator of these two areas is the generation of electricity from solar radiation. In other words, PV in both contexts focuses on the production of electricity using sunlight.

PV has become widespread thanks to the so-called solar panels, i.e. energy-producing devices that are easy to install and simple to use. Although this technology is considered fairly new, the possibility of obtaining electricity from sunlight was first discovered already in the first half of the 19th century.

The popularity of solar panels stems from the fact that this technology is deemed low‑carbon and renewable, which is significant in terms of the fight against climate change. As the years go by, PV is also becoming cheaper, with the world’s major economic powers spending billions of dollars on research and support schemes in this respect, thus driving the development of this solution and further reducing its already low prices. Another undeniable advantage of this technology is that sunlight is available basically everywhere in the world, albeit at varying intensity.

PV installations are mainly used to provide electricity for power systems, factories and households. Solar panels also help to power a wide variety of devices, including yachts, passenger cars, camper vans, street and garden lights, calculators, chargers for electric cars, or even such unique equipment as Mars rovers and space probes.

It is noteworthy that solar panels are perceived by businesses and individual users as both a remedy to problems related to electricity prices as well as a way to make money – solar PV is an ideal energy source for prosumers, i.e. entities that want not only to produce electricity for their own needs, but also to feed the surplus into the grid.

The anatomy of solar PV

The operation of solar panels is possible due to the reaction of their key component (which in most cases is silicon) with photons – particles that move at the speed of light and create various types of radiation. The panels are composed of the so-called photovoltaic cells, each containing a silicon wafer. Such a wafer features two shells between which there is a difference in potential. The electrons try to equalise it by forming bonds, which are then broken by photons, causing the electrons to move. Then, they are channelled, which enables the flow of electricity.

There are three main types of PV panels currently available on the market, each belonging to one of two generations of these devices. The first generation consists of panels made up of mono- and polycrystalline silicon cells, which differ in terms of their efficiency, lifetime and cost of production. Monocrystalline cells are more efficient and durable than polycrystalline ones, but are also much more expensive. The second generation comprises amorphous cells, which can be manufactured using other raw materials than just silicon. These units have a low price and are characterised by a high degree of flexibility, allowing them to be shaped in accordance with specific building conditions.

How much energy can be generated from sunlight?

A fundamental issue for anyone planning to invest in PV panels is how much electricity such a device will generate. However, the answer is not simple and depends on a number of factors.

First of all, it is necessary to consider the capacity of the planned installation – the usual range is between 1 and 10 kW. It is also very important to choose the right technology, as the most efficient panels are those equipped with monocrystalline cells. The other types of these devices produce noticeably less electricity. Weather and geographical conditions, the tilt angle and the age of a given device also play a major role in this regard. The calculations available on kotly.pl can serve as a reliable basis when it comes to PV installations. According to the portal, a 1 kW photovoltaic panel is capable of providing approx. 900-980 kWh of electricity per year.

More and more Poles decide to equip their roofs with PV installations. This is facilitated by extensive support programmes, e.g. the nationwide “Mój Prąd” (“My Electricity”) and “Energia Plus” (“Energy Plus”) programmes as well as a number of initiatives implemented by local authorities. It is definitely worth taking the opportunity to obtain this modern source of cheap and clean energy.

Poland has observed a rapidly growing interest in solar panels. In October, the installed capacity of this technology reached a record high: 1 gigawatt. In order to understand the phenomenon of these energy sources, it is important to learn what PV solutions actually are.

Harnessing the Sun

The term “photovoltaics” (“PV”) is used to describe both the technology and the field of science. The common denominator of these two areas is the generation of electricity from solar radiation. In other words, PV in both contexts focuses on the production of electricity using sunlight.

PV has become widespread thanks to the so-called solar panels, i.e. energy-producing devices that are easy to install and simple to use. Although this technology is considered fairly new, the possibility of obtaining electricity from sunlight was first discovered already in the first half of the 19th century.

The popularity of solar panels stems from the fact that this technology is deemed low‑carbon and renewable, which is significant in terms of the fight against climate change. As the years go by, PV is also becoming cheaper, with the world’s major economic powers spending billions of dollars on research and support schemes in this respect, thus driving the development of this solution and further reducing its already low prices. Another undeniable advantage of this technology is that sunlight is available basically everywhere in the world, albeit at varying intensity.

PV installations are mainly used to provide electricity for power systems, factories and households. Solar panels also help to power a wide variety of devices, including yachts, passenger cars, camper vans, street and garden lights, calculators, chargers for electric cars, or even such unique equipment as Mars rovers and space probes.

It is noteworthy that solar panels are perceived by businesses and individual users as both a remedy to problems related to electricity prices as well as a way to make money – solar PV is an ideal energy source for prosumers, i.e. entities that want not only to produce electricity for their own needs, but also to feed the surplus into the grid.

The anatomy of solar PV

The operation of solar panels is possible due to the reaction of their key component (which in most cases is silicon) with photons – particles that move at the speed of light and create various types of radiation. The panels are composed of the so-called photovoltaic cells, each containing a silicon wafer. Such a wafer features two shells between which there is a difference in potential. The electrons try to equalise it by forming bonds, which are then broken by photons, causing the electrons to move. Then, they are channelled, which enables the flow of electricity.

There are three main types of PV panels currently available on the market, each belonging to one of two generations of these devices. The first generation consists of panels made up of mono- and polycrystalline silicon cells, which differ in terms of their efficiency, lifetime and cost of production. Monocrystalline cells are more efficient and durable than polycrystalline ones, but are also much more expensive. The second generation comprises amorphous cells, which can be manufactured using other raw materials than just silicon. These units have a low price and are characterised by a high degree of flexibility, allowing them to be shaped in accordance with specific building conditions.

How much energy can be generated from sunlight?

A fundamental issue for anyone planning to invest in PV panels is how much electricity such a device will generate. However, the answer is not simple and depends on a number of factors.

First of all, it is necessary to consider the capacity of the planned installation – the usual range is between 1 and 10 kW. It is also very important to choose the right technology, as the most efficient panels are those equipped with monocrystalline cells. The other types of these devices produce noticeably less electricity. Weather and geographical conditions, the tilt angle and the age of a given device also play a major role in this regard. The calculations available on kotly.pl can serve as a reliable basis when it comes to PV installations. According to the portal, a 1 kW photovoltaic panel is capable of providing approx. 900-980 kWh of electricity per year.

More and more Poles decide to equip their roofs with PV installations. This is facilitated by extensive support programmes, e.g. the nationwide “Mój Prąd” (“My Electricity”) and “Energia Plus” (“Energy Plus”) programmes as well as a number of initiatives implemented by local authorities. It is definitely worth taking the opportunity to obtain this modern source of cheap and clean energy.

  tchomski@eneria.pl

Autor: Tomasz Chomski
Ekspert ds. Rozwiązań Fotowoltaicznych