With an ever-growing eco-conscious marketplace, more consumers are drawn to solar power to reduce their electricity costs and carbon footprints. While the promise of solar energy is intriguing to many consumers, it’s also still a bit mysterious. Let’s take a look at what solar energy is, how solar panels work, and how they’re beneficial to your customers.
Solar Beginnings
Before we dive into the “what” details, here’s a brief, but important history lesson. Solar energy has actually been around since the 1800s. But it was in 1954 when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson developed the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs in New Jersey. This PV cell was capable of converting the sun’s energy to power everyday electrical equipment. Fast forward to the 1970s, people began to see solar energy as a possibility for their homes as a way to reduce their electric bills. Of course, these earlier versions of solar technology were cost-prohibitive for the mass consumer and took up a lot of space.
Today’s Solar Panel Technology
Let’s go back to photovoltaics—or PV. A single PV device is known as a cell. An individual PV cell, made up of different semiconductor materials is small (less than the thickness of four human hairs) and produces between 1 and 2 watts of power. These cells are then inserted between protective glass or plastics and connected in chains to form panels which boosts the power output.
These solar panels can be used individually or connected to form arrays. The solar arrays are then connected to the electrical grid to complete a PV solar system.
Here’s a brief step-by-step of how PV solar cells generate electricity:
- Solar cells absorb energy from the sun.
- Electrons are knocked free from the middle layer of the panel. They then flow to create an electrical current.
- The electric current flows through a wire into an inverter which converts it from a DC current to an AC current.
Unlike the pioneering solar technology of the ’50s, photovoltaics are now an established solar solution, known for their reliability, durability, and performance. And as the cost of using solar to produce electricity becomes more affordable, many consumers are making the switch to not only reduce electric bills but also to improve the value of their homes or commercial buildings, gain emergency independence, reduce their carbon footprint, and even earn money back through solar energy credits.
The Hyperion Solar Panel Difference
If you want to add solar panels to your list of installation and contracting services, consider American Hyperion Solar panels. Hyperion is a global leader in solar energy innovation. The panels are engineered to maximize energy production and withstand diverse environmental conditions. They feature:
- 30-year linear power warranty and 12-year product warranty
- Up to 400W for each panel
- Strong mechanical load capacity
- Only 0.45% annual degradation
- High wind and weather resistance
- Excellent weak light performance
United Solar + Air is a world-class wholesale solar solutions provider for residential and commercial installers and contractors. Learn more about Hyperion solar panels or contact us today at (602) 878-6680.
