What is the difference between a photovoltaic panel and a solar panel?

The sun provides free, clean and unlimited energy. At a time when there is increasing talk of the depletion of natural resources, the governments of several countries are encouraging the use of renewable energy such as solar power. Thermal solar panels (or solar panels) and photovoltaic panels convert this energy from the sun into usable energy for use in the home. What are the differences between them?

Solar panels convert solar energy into heat

The solar panel is used for the production of domestic hot water in the dwelling. To do this, it captures the sun's radiation and converts it into heat. This heat is then transferred to the heat transfer fluid and passes through an exchanger. This equipment heats the water and accumulates it in a tank. The energy transformed by the solar panel can also be used to heat the house. The installation of this equipment will therefore allow you to reduce your heating bills.

Photovoltaic panels produce electricity

A photovoltaic panel is made up of many so-called photovoltaic cells that capture the sun's rays. These cells then convert this energy from the sun into electricity. The electricity produced can be used directly. But it can also be stored in batteries to be used later, for example during the night. The photovoltaic panel is a real ecological solution, but also an economical one. Its installation is highly recommended as part of a home energy renovation project. This does not emit any greenhouse gases. Moreover, the equipment can be recycled. As for the lifespan of the panels, you should know that they can last up to 30 years. That's not all, if you have a surplus of unconsumed energy, you can resell it to EDF for example. This allows you to have a source of additional and regular income for many years.

Solar panel and photovoltaic panel: what you need to know before installing them

These two pieces of equipment therefore allow a household to significantly reduce its ecological footprint and also reduce its energy bills. However, before embarking on this project, it is important to request a technical and economic study. Indeed, it is important to know that the initial investment is costly. It is therefore necessary to make sure that these solutions are adapted to your home. To find out, you must take into account the level of sunshine in your region, your type of roof, its slope, etc..

The advantages of photovoltaic energy

How the aerovoltaic solar panel works

Sand treatment purifies the silicon which is heated and reduced in a furnace. The silicon obtained is said to be 98% pure metallurgical silicon. This silicon is then chemically purified and results in electronic grade liquid silicon. This pure silicon is then enriched with doping elements: P, As, Sb or B, during the doping stage, in order to be able to transform it into a P or N type semiconductor. After different treatments of the silicon, three types of silicon cells are obtained: amorphous, monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon cells.

The main role of the inverters is to convert the direct current produced by the photovoltaic power plant into alternating current for injection into the grid.