Introduction
An animated 3D representation of a solar panel.
Solar panels convert the energy from sunlight into electricity. Sunlight is converted directly using photovoltaic (PV) panels (commonly referred to as solar panels) or indirectly using some form of solar concentrator.
Original applications for photovoltaics were limited to small consumers e.g. pocket calculators and mobile homes, but PVs have become a viable commercial source of electrical power in recent years.
PVs are a low cost renewable source of energy whose global installed MW capacity is increasing every year. The available energy from the sun is considerable and the solar energy market is expected to grow significantly in coming years as advances in technology make solar power an even more commercially viable option.
The largest solar power plant in the world is currently rated at 850 MW (Longyangxia Dam, China).
This 3D model shows all major components associated with a typical solar panel, these include:
- Frame
- Cover Glass
- Encapsulant
- Solar Cells
- Backsheet
- Terminal Box
Additional Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_panel