Solar Panels

In Photovoltaic Panel, the solar radiation is converted into electric energy and the photoelectric effect is exploited.

If a solar quantum of energy hf (where h is Planck’s constant and f is the radiation frequency) falls upon a suitable material, the quantum can be absorbed and an electron can be released.

The condition for this to happen is that the quantum energy be at least equal to the so-called “extraction work”  W, i.e. the work that must be applied to an electron of the material to extract it without any velocity.

In case the electron is released with velocity V, then the quantum energy must equal W, plus the electron kinetic energy ½ mV2:
 
                                                     hf = W + 1/2 mV2
   
                             
Thus, the number of electrons freed is directly proportional to the radiation intensity (number of quanta per sq.m. per second), while the radiation frequency determines if, or not, any electron is released.
 
 
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