PV Gap

Teresa Said:

Does anyone have any information about Solar Trackers?

We Answered:

A large amount of information is available on line from companies that sell solar panels and solar trackers.

Just do an internet search on "solar tracker."

You can study the design and construction of solar trackers and if you are at all mechanically inclined you could build one yourself.

I use solar panels, batteries and an inverter to power my passive solar house. I tried trackers for a while, but discovered that the mechanical problems with trackers were more bothersome and costly than mounting the solar panels in a stationary array and adding a few panels to offset the slight reduction in collecting power of stationary arrays.

In other words, on the basis of experience I recommend stationary arrays rather than trackers.

Annette Said:

I need some info on solar cells?

We Answered:

I have collected some information in my blog spot, please see it if there is something could help you for your English paper.

Cindy Said:

What are solar cells and what do they do? whats some information on this topic?

We Answered:

solar sell they take the sun rays and use them to power stuff.google it you will get more info there that you will in here

Connie Said:

Does anyone know a good website providing information on the physics of solar cells?

We Answered:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cells

Caroline Said:

How do solar cells collect electricity?

We Answered:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell

This is quite a lot to swallow, so here's a smaller summary:
Solar Photovoltaics ('solar panels'): You need 2 materials stuck together in a 'junction'. Most panels use semiconductors: the biggest tech right now is silicon (one half doped with phosphorous, the other with boron), although other techs like cadmium-telluride stuck to cadmium-sulphide also exist.

The materials have special properties which mean when you bring them together, an electric field is generated between them. In silicon, it's because the Phosphorous forms 4 bonds with the silicon and has a spare electron that gets shaken off at room temperature. It moves around the crystal until it finds a boron. Boron has 3 outer electrons so it's missing one (it's trying to form 4 bonds like silicon), and the roaming electron bonds to the boron. You've just moved electrons from one side to the other, so you've moved charge and generated an electric field/voltage.

When light hits the cell, the energy from the light can knock an electron off one of the atoms, letting it move freely through the crystal. But you've already got an electric field, and this pushes the electron in one direction. Electrons moving in the same direction is electricity!

Unfortunately, full understanding requires a decent grounding in quantum physics. You can't really understand it with classical mechanics & electromagnetism.

Delores Said:

i need information on solar cell cars?

We Answered:

If you need only a simple one, go to:
http://www.solarbotics.com/