Solar Panels
By: Muzammil Masroor
Tags: Renewable Energy, Solar Panels, Sun

Abstract:

I have based my extended essay around the functionality of solar panels. This is because I just love the concept and the ideology behind the usage of solar panels. A solar panel is a renewable source of energy, it’s sustainable, and especially after the oil reserves running out, I want to find out which solar cell is the most effective and where it can be used and applied under specific circumstances. This is what my extended essay is based around, it is giving me a good opportunity to answer this question in a proper scientific manner. I will be conducting an experiment where I will be applying different light intensities and electromagnetic waves on the different types of solar cell to see which solar cell shows the best results. Thus my research question “What structure of silicon makes the most effective solar cell?”

Introduction:

In this world, we have been exposed to advanced technology and that technology still grows, but one of the main global issues is global warming, which is caused by the incineration of fossil fuels to produce electricity and power. The burning of fossil fuels causes a hefty amount of CO2 and other poisonous gases to be released into the atmosphere. This issue can be addressed by producing electricity from clean, renewable sources of energy like solar and wind. Another issue that arises is that us humans, we don’t put this solution into practice even with all the modern technology that lays in our hands. Icebergs and ice glaciers are being melted due to a gradual increase in temperature. This increase in the temperature is what is causing climate changes, and natural disasters such as an increase in sea levels due to the melting glaciers and ice in the northern and southern areas of the globe. This is why using clean, renewable energy from the sun (solar) or wind is very important, and this paper will tell you the different types of solar cells that are available and how they react when they are exposed to different light intensities and electronegativities, This paper will also discuss the individual properties of these solar cells and what makes them extremely different from one another.

Solar panels are semiconductors that use energy from the sun to conduct electricity. Unlike power plants that use coals, fossil fuels, and natural gases to produce electricity, solar panels only require sunlight (an unlimited source of energy). There has been an ongoing battle between fossil fuels and solar energy and it seems like most of the world relies on predominant resources — oil, coal, and natural gases. The reality is that most of the world is powered by these predominant resources and solar panels only take up around 2–3 % of global capacity. The question that arises is why are solar panels so demanding?

Unlike power plants that use fossil fuels, coal, and natural gases, solar energy is a much more ideal source of energy. The most effective way to compare solar panels and fossil fuels is by its price. Solar energy is inexpensive and is one in a lifetime investment. It will provide you with an endless source of energy without any negative effect on the environment. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, requires heavy investment with having negative effects on the environment as a product.

In this world, there are several areas called ‘solar farms’ and are built upon 2500 acres of land. These fields consist of hundreds of solar panels and are capable of conducting hundreds of megawatts. 1 megawatt is capable is providing 200 households with electricity and it only costs 1 million dollars to install. The largest solar farm every built is the Kamuthi Power Plant that consisted of 648 MW arrays and was bid 0.93$ per watt and can be capable of supplying 150,000 households.

Solar panels are designed with different types of solar cells. Each of these solar cells has different properties and makes them unique in their own way. There are three main types: Amorphous, Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. The main purpose of this paper is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of these cells when they are exposed to different light intensities and electronegative. The results vary from one another and this will help determine which solar cell will bring out the best results under specific circumstances. For instance, if one of these cells show great energy output under low light intensity, this means that this specific cell will bring out the best results in areas where there are less sunlight and more clouds. The response will be very practical and worthwhile in the field of electrical and civil engineering. This response will be used in areas where frequent blackouts occur. Areas such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia etc…