Meet the Guide Editor
Solar Panels Contributors

Types of Solar Panels & How They Work

There are two quite different types of solar panels. One type (the solar thermal panel or solar collector) is used to collect thermal energyphotovolatic solar panelsfrom the sunlight for space heating or water heating. The other type (the photovoltaic solar panel) is used to generate electricity from sunlight. With the current emphasis on green living, and the recognition of solar energy as green energy, the use of both types is expanding rapidly. This has led to the availability of a lot of information ranging from DIY solar panel projects, to directories of solar contractors, or 'how to choose a solar contractor.' Use this Bright Hub guide to find the information you're seeking.

Image: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:nOBaq7cA9rKG6M:b

Latest Articles on Solar Panels
Solar Power in the Home: A Consumer's Guide

Solar radiation, also known as insolation is freely available in many parts of the world. This energy can be used to provide domestic hot water through solar thermal panels...

New Focus on Solar Power for Military Applications

Solar energy, if tamed and optimized properly, can eradicate all the energy woes from our earth. Solar devices being used by the military will reduce military budgets and save energy...

How Thin Film Solar Cells are Manufactured

The stubborn, cumbersome, low efficiency traditional types of thick-film solar panels are today slowly being replaced by more promising thin film solar panels. What technology and components...

How Building Green Got Its Start

When did designers first become interested in building green homes? Today, we are still at the beginning of the Eco construction movement, as solar panels, renewable materials,...

Most Popular Articles on Solar Panels
  •  
    How Building Green Got Its Start

    When did designers first become interested in building green homes? Today, we are still at the beginning of the Eco construction movement, as solar panels, renewable materials, and efficient design...

  •  
    Advantages of Solar Energy as Power Source in Space Exploration

    Space exploration is a major leap of mankind in it's quest for identity, whether or not there are also human beings exist in outer space and how is our earth compared to other planets. Energy source...

  •  
    The Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Power

    Have you ever wondered how much energy is being untamed from the sunlight falling on our Earth's surface? Read this to learn about solar energy and appreciate the pros and cons of solar energy...

  •  
    Modern Architecture

    Modern architecture is influenced by the requirement to control greenhouse gases emissions by using solar panels, insulation, and the direction of the sun's path to maximize sun energy. Interior farming...

  •  
    Applications of Solar Energy: Part-4: Solar Street Lights

    The solar street lights work on the principle of the photovoltaic cell or solar cell. The solar cell converts solar energy to the electrical energy which is stored in the battery. The solar lamp draws...

More About Solar Panels
Renewable Energy - Solar Thermal Panels

We already benefit from solar energy, our homes being heated through windows, conservatories or specially built walls. Other devices used to exploit this renewable energy are...

Can Photovoltaic Solar Panels Power a Computer Lab?

Can photovoltaic solar panels power a computer lab? Of course they can. Photovoltaic cells or solar cells convert electricity directly into electrical energy. (Solar cells are...