PV Gap

Shirley Said:

Do solar panel cell phone chargers actually work?

We Answered:

i couldn't find that many reviews but what i did find shows that it is a good way to go here`s the links i found
http://www.12voltsolarpanels.net/charge-…

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11288_7-642…

http://www.nextag.com/solar-cell-phone-c…

Calvin Said:

how do solar photovoltaic panels work?

We Answered:

Hey E Girl, photovoltiac panels are pretty simple. They start with a solid block of silicone, and shave thin layers off of them, called wafers. Once you have about 72 of them, you take half of them and dope them with boron, then the other half are doped with phosphorous. Once that's done, they take one each phosphorous and boron wafer, and glue them together with a special conductive epoxy glue, and attach a wire to each wafer. When the two glued wafers are exposed to the sun, a reaction occurs that forces free electrons from the silicone particles from one wafer onto the other, and a voltage is generated between them, about 1/2 volt to be exact.

Once all 36 pairs are glued together, they are wired in series, connecting the phosphourous wafer from one to the boron wafer on the next, and so on. If you start with 72 wafers, you'll have 36 pairs glued together when you are done. At 1/2 volt each, that makes a 18 volt panel, which is used to charge a 12 volt battery. The charging source always has to have a few more volts than the battery. These 36 pairs of cells are then arranged on some kind of back board, glued down, covered with acrylic glass and mounted in a frame.

There are some great websites you can go to for more info, I will list some below. Did you know that there are over 100,000 homes and businesses in the US alone that use some level of solar power to operate their electrical systems? That's good news. We actually live in one of those homes, it is powered by both the wind and sun and heated with solar and wood. I hope this answers your question, good luck, and take care, Rudydoo

Sarah Said:

hi.. i just wanted to know , what does panel photovoltaic have to do with solar panels for my home.?

We Answered:

Hi Tas, A Photovoltaic panel is the individual collector, or cell, electrically connected. They form photovoltaic modules, better known as a solar panel. The photovoltaic panel is arranged in arrays, or many panels fitted together in a grid.

Now I feel smart.. In basic terms panel photovoltaic means solar panel..

I went to this site http://build-your-own-solarpanels.com

It will give you a better understand of solar power works.. Hope this helps

Javier Said:

how do I clean my photovoltaic (solar) panels?

We Answered:

If yours are covered in glass, like mine, try those window washer thingies that they use in gas stations. I know you will have to climb up there to use them, but it makes it quite easy and quick to clean...

Vicki Said:

What are some credible schools that provide online solar and photovoltaic panel installer courses?

We Answered:

There are plenty of organizations popping up to take advantage of the Green Boom! To be sure that you are getting the most from a credible training organization, you may want to ensure that the program is ISP accredited through IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council. IREC has a rigorous process of ensuring that the program is teaching in accordance with an international quality standard.
Here is a list of awardees:
http://irecusa.org/irec-programs/ispq-tr…

Kristen
http://newenglandbreeze.com/

Erika Said:

Are solar panels and photovoltaic panels the same thing?

We Answered:

"Solar panel", is a pretty broad term. It could be used to describe photovoltaics (PV) but it could also be used to refer to solar heating or other methods. However, in common language "solar panel" usually refers to PV.