Solar panels are constituted of solar cells, which are also known as photovoltaic cells. They work efficiently, benefit the environment substantially, helps in saving money, and can also be a colossal asset in adverse conditions.
Solar panels work efficiently in the sense that they make use of light energy (photons) from the Sun to generate electricity through the Photo-Voltaic effect, the basic physical process through which a solar cell converts sunlight into electricity. The Sun's photons contain various amounts of energy corresponding to the different wavelengths of light. When these photons strike a solar cell, they may be reflected or absorbed, or they may pass right through; when a photon is absorbed, the energy of the photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the cell (in solar panels, this atom is silicon). With its newfound energy, the electron is able to escape from its normal position associated with silicon to become part of the current in an electrical circuit, and consequently "create" electricity in an efficient process that only makes use of light energy from the Sun.
Solar panels can also benefit the environment substantially, as it only makes use of the Sun's light energy to create electricity. Under such circumstances, the production of electricity will not consume fuels such as petroleum or natural gas, which will both pollute the environment with its waste materials - in the solar panels' cases, only the Sun's light energy is used and no pollution will be brought into existence.
Solar panels are huge assets to possess when it comes to the topic of money and savings. Despite solar panels' costs, it can help in a colossal way as it does not require money to operate - that is, it only makes use of the free light energy from the Sun. On the other hand, without solar panels, one will have to constantly face electrical bills, which, in the long run, can cost much more than the solar panels' costs.
Solar panels can be a colossal asset in adverse conditions, such as hurricanes. Houston has long been faced with the threat of hurricanes, with the most recent being the destructive Hurricane Ike. Whenever such hurricanes strike, the residents of Houston lose power - an altogether painful and agonizing experience, especially when coupled with the damage caused by the hurricanes. Solar panels can be an asset in such situations, as it can make use of the Sun's light energy to produce sufficient amounts of electricity for a family to sustain itself through the hurricane period. In addition, it is cheaper, more eco-friendly, and much quieter than electricity generators.
