Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the photoelectric effect, not for his work on relativity. Little did one know that the same people who helped us calculate everything under the sun is also the same person helping to bring renewable solar energy to the masses.
The following article explains in varying levels of detail; how a solar cell converts sunlight energy into free electrons, which is called the photoelectric effect and how, from the physical perspective, the use of silicon moves electrons through various states to produce useful solar generated electricity.
Albert Einstein won the Nobe Prize for discovering, documenting, and proving the Photoelectric effect. Funny as he has gathered most of his attention due to his work on relativity. Little did one know that the same people who helped us calculate everything under the sun is also the same person helping to bring renewable solar energy to the masses.
Solar Electricity and the Photoelectric Effect
The photoelectric effect is a key concept, since it is the way sunlight is converted into free electrons as light interacts with the solar cell. Without the creative work of Albert Einstein, the physical characteristics of sunlight might not be known. Never mind the impact and Earth-altering opportunities to power your home using solar generated electricity that his ideas inspired all these years later.
Think of sunlight not as a wave but as a beam of photon particles for the purposes of explain the technical details of how home solar energy systems work. These bundles of energy penetrate the silicon lattice structure inside the solar cells making up a home solar panel and transfer their energy to an electron in the outer layer of the silicon atom.
When a single electron gains enough energy from the penetrating photons, it breaks free and floats around the lattice structure, no longer bonded. An electron has a negative charge when it is knocked free during the photoelectric effect. The silicon atom that loses the electron, which had a neutral charge with the electron, now has a positive charge without it. Remember back to high school chemistry. Suddenly, these classes seem relevant when learning about solar generated electricity. Who would have known?
When an electron is removed from this lattice structure or matrix in this fashion, it creates a hole in the outer layer of the lattice where the electron was. A nearby electron with a negative charge soon fills the hole. The electron that moves in has a positive charge. Sort of like balancing the equation in a math problem might be the easiest way to explain it; i.e. when one silicon electron consisting of a negative charge is transferred in...another particle, in this case an electron with a positive charge, is bumped out and moves out.
As photons of sunlight penetrate the silicon and knock electrons loose they transfer their energy. Electrons with negative charges are transfered into holes in the chemical structure of the silicon atom and into positive holes that appear once the electrons move out. Sort of confusing but it really is like two layers of Swiss cheese laid side by side. Holes, or bubbles, from in one layer and move over to fill the holes in the other layer. The total number of holes stays the same and every bubble makes a circular path from one side, where they are pushed out, to the other side where they are absorbed in. Something similar happens when electrons are forced out of and into silicon waffers. This photoelectric effect works because of the one-directional flow of positive and negative electrons. This flow of electrons produces the electrical current used in everyday use. The one way or single direction that the silicon electrons is produced when the sunlight, which is really photons of energy, repeatedly hit the silicon solar cells inside the PV panels making up the home solar power unit.
Incredibly enough, this process is the secret sauce that allows electricity to be produced from ordinary sunlight. It is Albert Einstein's discovery, called the photoelectric effect, that makes solar electric energy possible. The average homeowner can now buy or rental home solar energy systems and generate useful electricity for their house.
Refrigerant Compliance Includes Calculating Carbon Emissions
Calculating carbon emissions is a complex process. The different types of emissions need to be identified and collected company wide. In addition, tracking methods need to show the daily use of refrigerant gas. The end result will show the global warming potential for each facility with a refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) system or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
The Economy is Down But Developing a Work at Home Solar Energy Business is Looking Up
The following explains how to get a small business started in a down economy. We will also define what a home based or work from home business is, what entrepreneurial skills are needed to start one, how good opportunities should not require upfront investments, and add a short commentary on the prospects of solar energy as a small business offering in 2009 - 2010.
How to Understand Government Laws for Refrigerant Gases (R-22 HCFCs)
The following article defines refrigerant gases (i.e. the different refrigerant types and the categories of HCFCs, CFCs, PFCs), where they come from, why they are used, and how existing United States and European regulations require detailed monitoring and reporting of refrigerant usage, purchase and destruction, and service tracking.
