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If a home requires 3000 watts of electrical power how many square feet of photovoltaic solar cells would you need to power it?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Photovoltaic cells are variable but a standard 1.6 square-metre (18 square feet) cell as used on roofs in the the UK is rated at 220 Watts. For 3 kW you would need 14 of them.
When installed and switched on in strong sunlight they would produce 3kW that is available to you to use, but, if you don't happen to use as much, the excess power goes back into the supply network, and the result is that your local power station will produce that much less electrical power. The boiler will be told (automatically) to throttle back and produce less steam, so it will consume fuel more slowly and send CO2 up the exhaust pipe at a lesser rate.
So your solar panels produce an immediate reduction in CO2 emissions, because the energy used in everyone's house has to be generated at the instant it is used.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The amount of solar panel space needed to power a home depends on multiple factors including the efficiency of the panels, average sunlight hours, geographical location, and energy consumption patterns. On average, one square foot of a typical solar panel can produce about 10 watts of power under ideal conditions. Therefore, a 3,000-watt system may require about 300 square feet of solar panels.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoI have a solar panel, and if it is aligned perfectly perpendicular to the sun's rays, and there are no clouds, I can get 75 Watts per square meter out of it. So that's about 7.5 Watts per square foot, so you would need 400 square feet to get 3000 Watts. Note that it generates electricity only during direct sunlight. Which even on sunny days, the sun is high enough to be usable on average 4-6 hours a day. So if you need 24h/day continuous 3000 W then you need at least 2000 square feet. Then how many days in a year are really sunny? If you need 3000 W every day, and 80% of your days sun is behind the clouds, your would need about 10000 square feet. That's about how much you need for continuous average 3000 W. Of course you need batteries to keep the electricity for nights and cloudy days.
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Can photovoltaic cells store energy?
Photovoltaic cells generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. They do not store energy themselves, but the electricity they produce can be stored in batteries or used immediately.
What do solar cells transfer sunlight directly into?
Solar cells transfer sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, where sunlight is converted into electrical energy by generating an electric current when photons hit the cell's semiconductor material.
What do PV cells convert radiant energy to?
PV cells convert radiant energy, such as sunlight, into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. This process involves the absorption of photons from the sunlight by the PV cell's semiconductor material, which generates an electric current.
What is the scientific name for solar panels?
photovoltaic
Is an outlet a source of electricity?
No, an outlet is only a distribution point. A source of electrical energy would be the generation station, wind generator, photovoltaic cells (solar energy panels) or other devices that actually produce electrical energy by changing energy from one type (chemical, solar...) to another.
Can photovoltaic cells store energy?
Photovoltaic cells generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. They do not store energy themselves, but the electricity they produce can be stored in batteries or used immediately.
What is the definition of photovoltaic solar cells?
Photovoltaic solar cells are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity using the photovoltaic effect. They are typically made of silicon or other semiconductor materials and are used to generate clean, renewable energy in solar panels.
What do spacestations use for electrical power?
Hydrogen fuel cells and solar photovoltaic arrays.
How do you change suns energy to electrical energy?
We can change by using solar photovoltaic cells.
Can radiant energy produce electrical energy?
Yes, radiant energy can produce electrical energy through processes like photovoltaic and thermoelectric conversion. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electrical energy, while thermoelectric generators use temperature differences to generate electricity.
How does sun energy become electrical energy?
Solar energy is collected using solar panels made of photovoltaic cells. These cells convert sunlight into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect, where photons from the sunlight knock electrons loose from atoms to generate an electrical current. This electrical current is then converted into usable electricity for homes and businesses.
What is the term of types of cells that convert the sun's energy into electrical energy by releasing electrons from Silicon?
Photovoltaic Cells (PV)
What changes light to electrical energy?
Photovoltaic cells, commonly known as solar cells, convert light energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. When photons from sunlight hit the cell, they knock electrons loose from atoms, generating an electric current.
What is the relationship between photovoltaic - radiant energy and electrical energy?
Photovoltaic technology converts radiant energy from the sun into electrical energy through the use of photovoltaic cells. These cells absorb sunlight and generate a flow of electrons, creating an electric current that can be used as a source of electricity.
The part of solar panel that absorbs light and converts it into electrical energy?
The part of a solar panel that absorbs light and converts it into electrical energy is the photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells. These cells are made of semiconductor materials that generate an electric current when exposed to sunlight through the photovoltaic effect.
What has the author John Orehotsky written?
John Orehotsky has written: 'Electrical research on solar cells and photovoltaic materials' -- subject(s): Flat plates, Photovoltaic cells, Corrosion prevention, Solar cells, Polymerization, Potting compounds, Solar relectors, Insulation
Does solar energy turn into electrical energy?
Yes, solar energy can be converted to electrical energy. This is most commonly done through the use of photovoltaic cells.
