How Photovoltaic Solar Cells Work
Check out a one-minute animated video that shows how a solar cell converts sunlight into electricity.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
How can solar energy work on your house? this upcoming renewable green energy’s popularity. Find out what Enfinity can do for you. How Photovoltaic Solar Cells Work
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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48 comments
2 pings
mrams1 says:
November 3, 2011 at 4:22 pm (UTC 0)
very nice video
thank you
MucusFelidae says:
November 3, 2011 at 5:19 pm (UTC 0)
Why do the electrons move to the bottom of the cell,
and not up?
davea0511 says:
November 3, 2011 at 5:36 pm (UTC 0)
He he he … what a stupid vidio. The solar cell they show is UPSIDE-DOWN! Silicon PV cells have the P-type (created with silicon + Boron) in the BOTTOM (it’s the substrate … 99% of all wafers are p-type), and the N-Type (created with phosphorus) is in the TOP. At least they have the electrons being generated largely in the P-type (next to the pn junction) and getting trapped in the N-type region where they’re then captured for doing useful work (creating potential – ie. voltage).
stapleshotz says:
November 3, 2011 at 6:06 pm (UTC 0)
@wariorx1z no
jasonPianist says:
November 3, 2011 at 7:03 pm (UTC 0)
excellent video. simple, but informative video. 🙂 keep it up!
hestro48 says:
November 3, 2011 at 7:50 pm (UTC 0)
This is a really good video. Explains the solar panels pretty well
Duckingitout says:
November 3, 2011 at 8:30 pm (UTC 0)
@baeronautics This is true that the lost electron from an atom makes it unstable, but the idea of electricity is that electrons are always flowing through a circuit so fast that a metal can be said to have a new electron as soon as it loses the other so there is no need to worry that a metal will react and combust for whatever reason. Plus the cells are sealed behind a casing I believe. But research more into it, I could be wrong, but it seems logical to me that this is why photovoltaics works.
iheartseizures says:
November 3, 2011 at 8:37 pm (UTC 0)
@wariorx1z as long as the coating is thick enough on each solar cell to prevent the excess silicon from escaping, they are fine. If they aren’t made to a set standard, this excess pure silicon can leak into the environment, and be somewhat harmful. Cancer causing no, but it is a toxin when released into the bloodstream.
MrRuzo214 says:
November 3, 2011 at 9:27 pm (UTC 0)
Thank you.
wariorx1z says:
November 3, 2011 at 10:24 pm (UTC 0)
i heard that this causes cancer and that it leaks radiation or something is that true?
jessevortex says:
November 3, 2011 at 10:56 pm (UTC 0)
wow real simple an straight forward, tnx
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November 3, 2011 at 10:56 pm (UTC 0)
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hungarylnnjsd says:
November 3, 2011 at 11:20 pm (UTC 0)
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nickep12000 says:
November 3, 2011 at 11:59 pm (UTC 0)
it’s basically a big diode
baeronautics says:
November 4, 2011 at 12:46 am (UTC 0)
but what appens to the atom when the elecron is released .. wouldnt it become unstable?? and react and form a new substance?
QF483 says:
November 4, 2011 at 1:08 am (UTC 0)
great vid, simple and easy to understand, helped me write notes for physics assessment and stopped me stressing, thanks for uploading 🙂
pc4nae says:
November 4, 2011 at 1:23 am (UTC 0)
Every minute enough energy reaches the earth for to meet the need for one year?
Yet in a video titled “Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics”, they state every hour enough energy reaches earth to meet the need for one year. So which is it, you can’t both be right. Maybe neither of you are right? Who to believe these days…
pegobuilders says:
November 4, 2011 at 1:36 am (UTC 0)
Great video….photovoltaic panels are probably the most cost-effective way of generating energy in the home. They are generated by daylight and work even in the UK’s overcast climate
ae5523 says:
November 4, 2011 at 1:48 am (UTC 0)
you a right olsfen1…the n type layer is on top!
Olsfen1 says:
November 4, 2011 at 1:51 am (UTC 0)
You know what’s funny, he’s wrong. Solars cells work the other way around. The negative layer is on the top.
UserIsAnFBIAgent says:
November 4, 2011 at 2:12 am (UTC 0)
Yeah, make them as big as you would like, or as big as you would need, and use Resistors to control the amount of electricity that comes out, or to control the flow of how much Voltage and Amperes you would like to come out. Easy.
AeEgurl516 says:
November 4, 2011 at 2:57 am (UTC 0)
yehey! thanks for explaining this and putting it on youtube, I really need this for our electronics subject, becuase it is my report.
SSBBplayerD says:
November 4, 2011 at 3:36 am (UTC 0)
The most clear and to-the-point video I’ve found on PV solar panels. thanks
Soneclipseredvblue says:
November 4, 2011 at 4:27 am (UTC 0)
I’m a student as well. I just happened to take Environmental Science, which is one of my more favorite sciences, but other students took it thinking it would be an easy A, which was for me, but not so much for them.
JimmyTheGreek2000 says:
November 4, 2011 at 4:49 am (UTC 0)
Why do you let idiots in your class.
Could be your explanations are not so clear and concise!
Nnnarekkk says:
November 4, 2011 at 5:19 am (UTC 0)
Change the title to advertisment. This didn’t show how solar panels work.
davea0511 says:
November 4, 2011 at 5:47 am (UTC 0)
He he he … they forgot to have a little devil dude with a pitchfork with OPEC stamped on his forehead screaming as he bursts into flame when the sun hit him. That would be totally cool.
dbcooper91 says:
November 4, 2011 at 5:53 am (UTC 0)
@EnfinityChannel @fosheimedet : Yes, some people are using it. BUT it is not a technology widely spread and affordable to most of the people, so they stick with the traditional one. AND we didn’t talk about politics yet (oil lobby etc)
v3r71c0r says:
November 4, 2011 at 6:26 am (UTC 0)
Shame solar power is pretty irrelevant to the future beyond powering homes. Hence JET and ITER
EnfinityChannel says:
November 4, 2011 at 6:40 am (UTC 0)
@21centuryg I think @dbcooper91 meant the auto-deployment of a solar installation on a roof 🙂 Could save a lot on installation costs actually…
21centuryg says:
November 4, 2011 at 7:28 am (UTC 0)
@dbcooper91 wait, but aren’t some people using this today?
EnfinityChannel says:
November 4, 2011 at 7:55 am (UTC 0)
@86Brutus GREAT!!! Just wonderful that you can use this video for educational purposes… 🙂
86Brutus says:
November 4, 2011 at 8:05 am (UTC 0)
this is a wonderful video, im using it to teach my class about solar power. thanks!
EnfinityChannel says:
November 4, 2011 at 8:15 am (UTC 0)
@fosheimdet No worries… I won’t take it personal 🙂
fosheimdet says:
November 4, 2011 at 8:16 am (UTC 0)
@EnfinityChannel great… now you made me get bad consciousness for beeing so rude D: I must admit, I enjoyed the video even tho I learned nothing.
EnfinityChannel says:
November 4, 2011 at 8:55 am (UTC 0)
@fosheimdet So sorry you don’t like the video. Ofcourse it’s only meant as a quick guide for home owners. I reckon more detailed information can be gathered in specialized magazines or studies.
fosheimdet says:
November 4, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC 0)
fucking crap video, doesnt tell you anything about how solar panels work
EnfinityChannel says:
November 4, 2011 at 9:58 am (UTC 0)
@keithyt Hi there. I’m afraid I can’t provide you the exact details of the video. But your best bet is to calculate between 3500 – 8000 euro.
keithyt says:
November 4, 2011 at 10:53 am (UTC 0)
how much does it cost to have a video like this made? It really is great 🙂
OuterspaceGandalf says:
November 4, 2011 at 11:40 am (UTC 0)
@yoora1000
“I Feel It All” by Feist
EnfinityChannel says:
November 4, 2011 at 12:26 pm (UTC 0)
@freddyfzbo It was made by a Swiss company, active in 3D rendering… not sure about the name though. I do remember they had a logo that has a hole in it. Adart.ch if I’m not mistaken…
Hope it helps…
freddyfzbo says:
November 4, 2011 at 12:50 pm (UTC 0)
What firm made that video for you? I have a company in an unrelated business and would love to show something like that on our website?
yoora1000 says:
November 4, 2011 at 1:30 pm (UTC 0)
@EnfinityChannel ok. thanks 🙂
EnfinityChannel says:
November 4, 2011 at 2:30 pm (UTC 0)
@yoora1000 Hi there, I have actually no idea what the title of the song is, it came from a rights-free sound library.
yoora1000 says:
November 4, 2011 at 2:31 pm (UTC 0)
what’s the title of the song?
EnfinityChannel says:
November 4, 2011 at 3:04 pm (UTC 0)
Well, depending on the intensity, your installation would be broken. Best to insure it against lightning strikes if you live in an area that’s sensitive to it.
MegaSaS123 says:
November 4, 2011 at 4:02 pm (UTC 0)
I have one question. What if a lightning hits a solar panel?
dbcooper91 says:
November 4, 2011 at 4:31 pm (UTC 0)
Well, we have to wait a few decades until the technology shwon in this video will come true…
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