A collection of individual silicon cells that generate electricity from sunlight, solar panels are comprised of those individual cells housed within a frame. The cells are wired together and connected electrically, framed by metal, and backed with either plastic, metal, or fiberglass. The entire unit—or panel—is covered by glass to protect it from the elements. Solar panels are pre-manufactured in many sizes, and can be mounted on a rooftop, on the side of a structure, or as a stand-alone unit.
There are basically three types of solar panels:
There are also three types of panel arrays to choose from; fixed, adjustable, or tracking. Tracking panels follow the sun's path continuously. Fixed panels are completely stationary, while adjustable panels are able to be adjusted a few times each year.
Typically, a 100-watt solar panel costs about five hundred dollars. You can run a microwave, refrigerator, computer, several lights, a color television, and an air conditioner using about five 100-watt solar panels. Some utility companies help defray the cost of installing solar panels and some people even "go off the grid" using solar energy—meaning, they use the public electric company only in times of emergency.
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