What are solar cells and how do they work?

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Without a place to transmit the energy produced by solar panels, solar energy would be quite inefficient - your appliances would only work if the sun was shining and the solar panels were working.

Without a place to transmit the energy produced by solar panels, solar energy would be quite inefficient - your appliances would only work if the sun was shining and the solar panels were working.

If you don't use energy, it will be wasted - and you won't be able to use it at night.
Enter the solar cell, which stores the energy generated by your panels for when you need it.
Solar cells are an alternative (or supplement) to giving back energy to the grid and can help protect your house or facility from power outages to some extent or even help go off the grid entirely.

"https://au.renogy.com/blog/how-long-do-deep-cycle-solar-batteries-last/">solar batteries types

The four main types of batteries used in the solar world are lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and flow batteries.

Lead acid.
Lead-acid batteries have been in use for decades and are one of the most common types of batteries used in automotive and industrial applications. They have a lower energy density (meaning they can't hold much energy per kilogram of weight) but are still cost-effective and reliable, and have therefore become a common choice for home solar installations.

Lead-acid batteries come in two types: waterlogged and sealed and can be divided into shallow cycle or deep cycle depending on the intended function and safe depth of discharge (DOD). Recent technological advances have improved the life of these batteries, and lead acid remains a viable option for many homeowners.

Lithium-ion batteries.
The technology behind lithium-ion batteries is much newer than other types of batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density and offer smaller, lighter, and more efficient options. They allow users to capture more of the energy stored in batteries before they need to be recharged, making them perfect for use in laptops and phones - and your home.

The main disadvantage of lithium-ion batteries is that the cost to the consumer is significantly higher. If not properly installed, lithium-ion batteries also have the potential to catch fire due to an effect called thermal runaway.

Nickel and cadmium.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are rarely used in residential environments and are most popular in aviation and industrial applications due to their high durability and unique ability to operate at extreme temperatures. Nickel-cadmium batteries also require relatively little maintenance compared to other types of batteries.

Unfortunately, cadmium is a highly toxic element that can have a significant negative impact on our environment if not handled properly.

Flow.
Flow batteries rely on chemical reactions. Energy is regenerated by an electrolyte containing a liquid flowing between two chambers inside the battery. While flow batteries are efficient and discharge to a depth of 100%, they have a low energy density, which means that the tank holding the electrolyte must be quite large to store a lot of energy. This size makes them an expensive and impractical option for most homes. Flow batteries are better suited for larger Spaces and applications.

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