The Solar Panel Has Become More Efficient Over Time

When the  solar panel was first introduced they had a very low efficiency of transforming sun light into electric current.  But today their efficiency has increased considerably.  Today’s solar panel should have a efficiency of around 30%.  But understand the efficiency will vary by manufacturer.

The PV Solar Panel

The PV or photovoltaic solar panel is the most common type of solar panel sold today.  Each panel consists of multiple photovoltaic cells all combined into one panel.  To produce enough electricity these panels are tied together into a solar panel array.

Each panel solar cell consists of a silicon base with other materials which enhances its ability to convert sun light into electricity.  They are usually connected, within the solar panels, in series and protected from the elements behind glass.

The Solar Panel Array

When you wire a number of solar panels together usually in parallel you create an array.  As you increase the number of solar panels the array can produce an increasingly larger amount of electricity.  How many solar panels your combine into an array will depend upon the load you need to carry, how efficient your solar panel is and the amount of sun light each panel will receive.

As the solar panels becomes even more efficient your solar panel array will be small and yet product the same amount of electricity.

See also Solar Power House – What Are Photovoltaic Solar Panels? and look forward to more efficient solar panel in the near future.