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A PV solar panel is more reliable and efficient. The sun's energy can be utilized to create energy-producing electricity, however it's not as efficient as the infrared and ultraviolet light. The best way to maximize light is in many different ways. Every home needs a different layout so that panels receive the most sunlight.
However, it is actually the light that a standard solar panel is most interested in harvesting. In harvesting light energy from the sun, the solar panel uses photovoltaic effects to convert light directly into electricity. It is light, not heat, that generates electricity — and too much heat can actually hinder the electricity-making process.
While heat and light both come from the sun, only light is used to generate electricity in PV solar panels. In fact, excessive heat can actually reduce panel efficiency. Solar panels perform best in cool, sunny conditions and are designed to work even on cloudy days by utilizing different parts of the light spectrum.
One of the of wavelengths that isn't visible to us is ultraviolet (UV) light. Approximately 4% of sunlight that reaches the ground–and your solar panels–is ultraviolet. UV light contains photons solar panels transform into energy. In fact, because of its higher wavelength, UV light even contains more energy per photon than visible light.