Build Your Own Solar Panel

Introduction
Converting solar energy to electricity via photovoltaic cells is one of the most
exciting and practical scientific discoveries of the last several hundred years. The
use of solar power is far less damaging to the environment than burning fossil
fuels to generate power. In comparison to other renewable energy resources such
as hydro power, wind, and geothermal, solar has unmatched portability and thus
flexibility. The sun shines everywhere. These characteristics make solar power a
key energy source as we move away from our fossil fuel dependency, and toward
more sustainable and clean ways to meet our energy needs.
The sun is a powerful energy resource. Although very little of the billions of
megawatts per second generated by the sun reaches our tiny Earth, there is
more than enough to be unlimited in potential for terrestrial power production.
The sunlight that powers solar cells travels through space at 186,282 miles per
hour to reach the earth 8.4 minutes after leaving the surface of the sun. About
1,368 W/M

is released at the top of the earth’s atmosphere. Although the solar
energy that reaches the Earth’s surface is reduced due to water vapor, ozone
layer absorption and scattering by air molecules, there is still plenty of power for
us to collect. Harvesting photons for use in homes, factories, offices, vehicles
and personal electronics has become practical, and economical, and will con-tinue to increase in its importance in the energy supply equation.

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