Need Complete Guidance about Solar Panels 2020?

The solar panel, here is an extraordinary object! By capturing sunlight, it successfully generates energy.  But how exactly does it work? Is it really ecological? What are its economic advantages? Is it easy to install it at home?  We will tell all about photovoltaic panels.

A solar panel, what is it for?

Green electricity production.

A solar panel is a flat surface that converts the energy produced by the sun's rays into electricity. This electricity is considered renewable since its source, the sun, is inexhaustible. Solar Energy in Pakistan It therefore does not need fuel to be created. In this, it is opposed to gas and coal power plants, based on the combustion of fossil fuels or nuclear power generation based on uranium.

Low price

But apart from the ecological aspect, solar energy also has economic advantages. Indeed, according to the “Leveled Cost of Energy”, from the Lazard bank in 2019, without subsidy, producing 1 MWh of solar energy costs $ 40 while 1 MWh for nuclear costs $ 155. And each year, nuclear power goes up while that of photovoltaics decreases.

This makes us think about the potential savings that can be made when we know that France consumes 70% of nuclear electricity. In short: we can say that photovoltaic energy meets the challenges of energy transition. It is accessible and respectful of the environment!

How does a solar panel work?

Installed on a roof or on the ground in a garden, a photovoltaic panel works, during the day, thanks to sunlight. The silicon cells will capture the sun's rays to transform them into electricity. More precisely, they will generate a direct current. However, this direct current is unsuitable for the consumption of household electrical equipment. Indeed, they do not “digest” it.

Therefore, solar installations always include a photovoltaic inverter. Solar Panel in Pakistan It is a small device that changes direct current into alternating current. As the small explanatory diagram below shows, the inverter is a bit like a mill. It makes electricity consumable for your light bulbs, your dishwasher, your computer, your television, etc. In short, all the electrical objects that participate in your daily life.

Solar panels: composition and environmental impact

The operation of a solar panel is therefore very "clean" because it consumes little energy. But what about the manufacturing process? Indeed, the majority of detractors of renewable energies point to the environmental impact of the creation of solar panels. Is the industrial balance sheet of solar panels really catastrophic? Combat explains everything to you to fight the received ideas!

What is the composition of solar panels?

The composition of a solar panel obviously varies from one brand to another. But, overall, they are composed on the same model, as shown in the diagram below. They contain:

Glass;

Laminated plastic sheets;

An aluminum frame;

Silicon photovoltaic cells.

Solar panel and rare earths: what reality?

We often hear that solar panels are made with rare earths, metals that are difficult to mine. However, according to Ademe, “the solar photovoltaic technologies currently on the market do not use rare earths. " But that does not mean that they never come into play in the production of electricity. Indeed, as Greenpeace explains: "  the main source of consumption of elements called" rare earths "comes from the equipment of new information technologies: tablets, smartphones, etc ... They are also found in every coal and gaspower station. or nuclear. "

Where are the solar panels made?

At present, most solar panels are made in China. Unfortunately, “production in China has a larger carbon footprint because Chinese electricity comes much more from fossil energy”,  as Tristan Carrère, photovoltaic engineer at Ademe , puts it. However, some brands like Dualsun, Voltec, Recom Silia or Systovi continue to produce solar panels in France. Simply, very often, they remain a little more expensive than the Chinese modules.

The lifespan and recycling of a solar panel

A solar panel is an object that stands the test of time. Indeed, if we are to believe the Ministry of Ecological and Inclusive Transition, the lifespan of a photovoltaic panel is “estimated between 25 and 30 years” . And after all these years, nothing is lost! The photovoltaic sector is very organized according to the circular economy mode.

According to PV Cycle, the body for recycling solar panels in France, photovoltaic modules have a recovery rate of 94.7%. The silicon, which can be reused four times, will make it possible to produce new panels. Glass, which is infinitely recyclable, can be recycled in the form of packaging or objects. Solar Panel in Lahore  The same goes for the aluminum present in the frame. The remaining 5.3% correspond to plastic which is still difficult to recycle.