The average American household spends around $122 a month on electricity.
Solar power seems like the obvious solution to reducing this cost — one could have panels installed on their roof, after all. These enable you to use the power of the sun at any time. What most people don’t know is as there are solar panels and there are solar cells.
Read on to learn the difference between solar cells vs. solar panels and how each can benefit your home.
Solar Cells: Components of a Solar Panel
Solar cells and solar panels are two important components of the solar energy system. Solar cells are the actual photovoltaic (PV) cells within a solar panel. They are responsible for converting sunlight into electricity.
Solar cells are made of semiconductor material. It is electrically sensitive to light exposure. This includes crystalline silicon, thin-film, and amorphous silicon. Or even different types of dye-sensitized cells. Solar cells within a solar panel are arranged in an orderly array to maximize the efficiency and production of solar power.
Solar panels, on the other hand, are typically composed of multiple solar cells and are arranged in an array. Solar panels also contain safety features. This includes grounding, bypass diodes, and waterproof junction boxes. These are necessary to protect the cells and maximize the production of solar electricity.
Many solar panels also come with the tools, frames, and other important parts needed to set them up. To summarize, solar cells are the actual photovoltaic (PV) cells component within a solar panel. They are responsible for the energy that is produced by solar panels. Solar panels are an array of solar cells and are designed for maximum efficiency and safety.
Solar Panels: What They Are and What They Do
Solar panels and solar cells can both be used to collect energy from the sun, but they have different uses. Solar cells are found in photovoltaic modules and are responsible for converting the sun’s light directly into usable electricity.
Solar panels, on the other hand, combine the cells into larger units for greater efficiency and overall performance. Solar panels are typically used on rooftops and in open fields. This is where they can collect sufficient sunlight hours and generate higher amounts of electricity.
They are also able to convert the energy they collect into various forms of power at a consistent rate. This includes a direct current (DC) electricity and alternating current (AC) electricity. Solar panels can be connected to the electricity grid and emergency power systems. As well as a variety of home and business energy-related products and services.
Advantages of Solar Cells vs. Solar Panels
Solar cells and solar panels are two extremely popular methods for generating energy from the sun. While both of these systems have advantages, there are distinct differences between them.
Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, convert sunlight directly into electricity. These cells typically come in the form of flat panels and are deployed in large arrays to form large systems.
Solar panels, on the other hand, use a collection of mirrors or lenses to concentrate the solar energy into a small beam. This small beam is then used to heat a single element, usually water, to generate steam which drives a turbine to produce electricity.
The advantages of solar cells versus solar panels include higher efficiency and space savings. Solar cells can be obtained in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them very easy and cost-effective to install and maintain.
Solar cells typically also have higher energy efficiency than solar panels. This makes them much more reliable in producing consistent energy output.
Lastly, solar cells typically require less space as they come in smaller sizes and can be used to collect light from multiple directions. Solar panels, on the other hand, need more space to be set up and are usually less effective than solar cells. Check out this company to learn more in-depth information.
Cost Consideration
Solar cells and solar panels both have the same basic purpose: to convert sunlight into energy. The main difference between the two is cost. Solar cells are much more expensive than solar panels.
Solar cells are made up of small, individual cells that work on their own and are generally linked together in a group called an array. Solar cells offer much better performance. They are able to capture and convert more sunlight into energy due to the combination of their small size and the greater number of cells.
Solar panels, on the other hand, are much more cost-effective. This is because they are larger, and fewer of them are needed to capture and convert the same amount of sunlight. While solar panels may be the more economical option, they require a larger surface area to accommodate their larger size.
This could represent an additional relocation cost. In terms of cost: solar panels will generally be a much more affordable option than solar cells.
Environmental Impact
Overall, both have about the same effect on the environment, but solar cells have a slightly smaller effect because they are more efficient. Solar cells tend to use more renewable sources of energy, which makes them more sustainable. Solar panels, on the other hand, rely more on heat energy from sources that don’t replenish themselves to make power.
So, solar cells may be better for the world than solar panels, especially when looking at how long-lasting the energy sources are as a whole.
Learn the Difference Between Solar Cells and Solar Panels
The biggest difference between solar cells and solar panels is the conversion of light energy into electrical energy. Solar cells are the basic element of solar panels, but several cells are connected to form the panel.
If you are considering a solar power installation for your home or business, understanding the differences between solar cells and solar panels is key to making the right decision. Get in touch with a local solar installer today to learn how you could benefit from solar power.
