How Solar Panels Work

How much solar power does the Earth intercept?

• 200 thousand terawatts

• 173 thousand terawatts

• 100 thousand terawatts

• 150 thousand terawatts

What are solar panels made up of?

• Batteries

• Solar cells

• Photons

• Conductive wires

What happens when a photon strikes a silicon cell?

• It knocks an electron from its bond

• It heats up the cell

• It creates a hole in the cell

• It reflects off the cell

What is one of the main challenges of relying completely on solar power?

• Uneven distribution of solar energy

• High cost of solar panels

• Lack of sunlight

• Short lifespan of solar cells

What is the efficiency range of most commercial solar systems?

• 5-10%

• 15-20%

• 10-15%

• 20-25%