Hello friends, you must have heard the name Solar Panel or Solar Power. Now a day, solar energy has been a priority in many parts of the world. Either it may be because of the expensiveness of traditional generation of power or may be because of the need of decreasing the dependence over non-renewable resources.

Solar Energy among others has been a trending topic over a decade.

Solar Array
In this blog, we are going to talk about the Solar Cells and different stages of Solar Cells and what they are called.

Our topics for this blog:

What is solar cell? How does it work? Solar Module, Solar Panel and Solar Array

What is Solar Cell?

First of all let's see what is cell? The word cell and battery is used mostly as synonym but the battery is basically the combination of two or more cells combined together. So, when the people refer a single cell as battery which is very normal nowadays, they don't realize that it's not correct.

So, What if I say, Solar cell is also a cell like any other cell. Yeah, I know, you may not have thought like this before.

Cell is any object that has some potential difference along its opposite electric terminals. Since, potential difference is responsible for the flow of charge and hence responsible for the flow of current. So, any object carrying potential difference at its terminal can be used as the source of electricity.

Now coming to solar cell, solar cell is a cell that maintains potential difference in the presence of light. Since, for us the main source of light is Sun, hence, the name, Solar Cell.

How does Solar Cell work??

If you are from Science background, then you can refer to more in-depth working of solar cells here.  A very simple and shortened understanding on how solar cell works is given below.

Solar cells are made of p-type and n-type of semiconductors. Semiconductors are materials which conducts electricity but not as much while comparing to conductors. P-type semiconductors are those which have excess of positively charges holes (for understanding, deficiency of electrons) and n-type are those which have excess of electrons. In a solar cell, these two semiconductors are placed to each other and in the presence of sunlight, the flow takes place between them which results in potential difference between the two and is utilized as a Solar Cell.

There are different terminology associated namely Solar Cell which we have already talked about, others are Solar Module, Solar Panel and Solar Arrays.

From these, people only use Solar Panel even for Solar Module and Solar Arrays. So, let's see what these are. 

Solar Module

Solar Module is series and/or parallel combinations of Solar Cells to get the desired higher voltage for practical purposes. 

Solar Panel

When two are more modules are combined to get the higher amount of voltage and electricity. It is known as Solar Panel. So, If you have, let's say, 50 W or less Solar Panel then it may be a Solar Panel consisting of two or more Solar Modules or it may only be a single Solar Module.

Solar Array

Solar Array is collection of large number of Solar Panels to generate the electricity for mass use. And, this setup of Solar Arrays is also called Solar Farming.

Keep an eye on our blog if you want to know about types of Solar Panels and a mini solar setup!!