The term solar panel is used colloquially for a photo voltaic pv module.
How are solar panels used today.
In this article we explain what solar panels are used for.
A pv module is an assembly of photo voltaic cells mounted in a framework for installation.
If you are more interested in the benefits see our article on the pros and cons of solar energy.
Solar panels have been consistently increasing in efficiency at about 5 annually since 2010.
Factors that affect solar panel efficiency.
Uses of solar panels.
The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range.
Probably because today more and more people are understanding the advantages of solar energy as our solar technology increases and the cost of fossil fuels rises.
China has been the primary installer of solar photovoltaics which absorb the sun s light to create electricity in the world since 2013 with over 400 solar pv companies in china.
In the sections below we explain the different uses of solar panels.
In 2012 more than 100 gw of solar photovoltaic pv power was installed in the world an amount capable of producing at least 110 twh of electricity every year.
Pv panels on just 0 6 of the nation s total land area could supply enough electricity to power the entire united states.
Solar energy is used today in a variety of ways.
Solar energy deployment increased at a record pace in the united states and throughout the world in 2008 according to industry reports.
Solar panels allow us to generate electricity which we can then use in a variety of ways.
Solar power remains after hydro and wind the third most important renewable energy source in terms of globally installed capacity.
Solar s abundance and potential throughout the united states is staggering.
Solar energy harvesting the power of the sun through the use of photo electric panels or other collection techniques is no longer just a green dream or a concept that universities and businesses experiment with.
4 pv can also be installed on rooftops with essentially no land use impacts.
However they are also being used to provide solar power to entire homes and commercial buildings such as google s headquarters in california.
Photo voltaic cells use sunlight as a source of energy and generate direct current electricity a collection of pv modules is called a pv panel and a system of panels is an array.
Solar energy capacity increased by 17 in 2007 reaching the total equivalent of 8 775 megawatts mw.
Solar power is one of the biggest industries in mainland china and globally china is the world s largest market for both photovoltaics and solar energy.
The solar energy industries association s 2008 u s.
Today solar panels and complete solar panel systems are used to power a wide variety of applications.
The seia report tallies all types of solar energy and.
The highest efficiency solar panels on the market today can reach almost 23 percent efficiency.
Solar industry year in review found that u s.
Today there are practical ways that you can make use of solar energy in your home.
