what is a solar panel?

Answer 1

The term solar panel is best applied to a flat solar thermal collector, such as a solar hot water or air panel used to heat water, air, or otherwise collect solar thermal energy. But 'solar panel' may also refer to a photovoltaic module which is an assembly of solar cells used to generate electricity. In all cases, the panels are typically flat, and are available in various heights and widths.

Answer 2

Sometimes you gotta wonder what you have to do to get a straight answer in this 'place', huh?

Solar panels are sort of like batteries that are charged by the sun (solar power). They power telecommunications towers, traffic signals, and monitoring stations for all kinds of things in remote places. Residences too far away to be connected to a power grid can be supplied electricity by solar panels installed on the roof.

If you have those little lights by your driveway or porch that come on automatically at night without batteries, you already have small solar panels!

Answer 3

The term solar panel is best applied to a flat solar thermal collector, such as a solar hot water or air panel used to heat water, air, or otherwise collect solar thermal energy. But 'solar panel' may also refer to a photovoltaic module which is an assembly of solar cells used to generate electricity. In all cases, the panels are typically flat, and are available in various heights and widths.

An array is an assembly of solar-thermal panels or photovoltaic (PV) modules; the panels can be connected either in parallel or series depending upon the design objective. Solar panels typically find use in residential, commercial, institutional, and light industrial applications.

Solar-thermal panels saw widespread use in Florida and California until the 1920's when tank-type water heaters replaced them. A thriving manufacturing business died seemingly overnight. However, solar-thermal panels are still in production, and are common in portions of the world where energy costs, and solar energy availability, are high.

Recently there has been a surge toward large scale production of PV modules. In parts of the world with significantly high insolation levels, PV output and their economics are enhanced. PV modules are the primary component of most small-scale solar-electric power generating facilities. Larger facilities, such as solar power plants typically contain an array of reflectors (concentrators), a receiver, and a thermodynamic power cycle, and thus use solar-thermal rather than PV.

The largest solar panel in the world is under construction in the south of Portugal. A 52,000 photovoltaic module, 11-megawatt facility covering a 60-hectare south-facing hillside in the southern Alentejo region and it will produce electricity for 21,000 households.


Note-on the Gaurdian site it says: May6, 2005


"A plan to build the world's biggest solar energy power station, covering about 250 hectares and capable of sustaining 130,000 households, has been unveiled in Portugal. The park would be visible from space, according to a spokesman for the owners of the site at an abandoned pyrite mine near the town of Beja, in the southern Alentejo region.

With a potential output of 116 megawatts, the new station would be several times the size of what is now the world's largest solar energy plant. The output would be fed into the Portuguese electricity grid at a government-set price."

Answer 4

Sorry, trai. Solar panels collect sunlight to heat a transfer liquid. Solar CELLS are used to produce electricity.

Answer 5

they use this in startrek to power the warp drive

seriously its a device that transforms sunlight directly into electricity.

Answer 6

ITS A MAGNET THAT ATTRACTS HEAT FROM SUNLIGHT.

Answer 7

sorry i do not have any reply for this one