Teresa Turner

How does Solar Power Work? Turning the sunshine into electricity is becoming more and more popular as ways are found to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But how is sunlight converted into electricity? How can Sun Luis Obispo solar power be produced? When the sunbeam hits an object with certain materials such as a solar cell or photovoltaic (PV), it is turned into an electrical current harnessed for power. The first generation of solar panels used large crystals called silicon. Silicon produces an electrical current when battered by light. The electrons cause the crystals to get up and dance around. The big crystals problem is they take a long time to grow, making it an expensive process. Second generation crystals are now smaller and made of copper-indium-gallium-selenide, which is molded into a flexible film. This thin-film technology is not as good as silicon since it does not produce as much electricity. So what is the power efficiency of a solar cell? A typical crystalline silicon cell is about 22 to 23 percent. What does that mean? The 23 percent of the sunlight that hits the cells converts into energy. The ones that you see on a rooftop are lower and fall somewhere between 15 and 18 percent. The ones on satellites have power efficiencies close to 50 percent. There are several solar panel farms scattered all over the world. Most of them reside in California and generate electricity for surrounding areas. Also, there are hybrid systems that combine PV with Concentrator Photovoltaics (CPV). CPV is more concentrated, using lenses and mirrors to concentrate the sunbeam into small but highly efficient multi-junction solar cells. Included in the hybrids can be wind, diesel, and biogas. Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the bactericide composition of sewage, manure, garbage, or plant crops. So really, the sun, earth, and inhabitants can generate electricity and reduce the carbon dioxide emission footprint. Suppose there is a desire to save energy and take advantage of the 30 percent credits through 2016. In that case, Electricraft is the expert for San Luis Obispo solar power, so contact them today and see what options are available. Electricraft started in 1984 and brought 300 years of expertise to the San Luis Obispo. Their knowledgeable crew can provide free estimates, a 25-year product warranty, plus a 10-year workmanship warranty. There are leasing opportunities and low-interest loans available. Material costs are down as well. Call Electricraft, Inc. at -.