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You are here: Solar Panel Home > SOLAR INFO CENTER > What is a solar panel

What is a solar panel? A solar panel uses Photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Solar panel cells are made from silicon and were originally developed to power spacecraft and space stations. The cells are wired together in panels that typically measure about 4 feet by 1 foot by 1.5 inches deep. A group of solar panels mounted on a frame is called a solar panel solar panel array. Canadian Solar 230 watt panel CS6P-230P Canadian Solar 250 watt panel CS6P-250P Trina Solar Panel TSM225PA05 225W Pallet Aide Solar 240 watt panel XZST-240 Usually Ships in 2 to 3 Weeks List Price: $499.00 Our Price: $319.00 You save $180.00! Subject to availability List Price: $549.00 Our Price: $359.00 You save $190.00! Usually Ships in 2 to 3 Weeks List Price: $799.00 Our Price: $399.00 You save $400.00! Usually Ships in 6 to 8 Weeks Our Price: $454.00 AUO Solar Panel, 240 watt, PM240PA0 Schott 225W Solar Panel Samsung Solar Panel LPC244S 244 watt Sharp 240W solar panel Pallet Usually Ships in 2 to 3 Weeks List Price: $1,085.00 Our Price: $539.00 You save $546.00! Usually Ships in 2 to 3 Weeks List Price: $799.00 Our Price: $599.00 You save $200.00! Usually Ships in 2 to 3 Weeks Our Price: $629.00 In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come first served. Our Price: $639.00 To provide electricity reliably and safely, solar panel system components typically include an inverter, wiring and optional battery storage and charge controller. Most solar panel systems convert the DC electricity that is produced by the solar panels into the common household form of electricity—alternating current (AC)—by using an inverter. AC electricity can then be used to power your appliances directly, or feed back to an electric utility's grid. The DC electricity can also be stored directly in batteries for later use. In this case, to prevent overcharging or discharging of the batteries, a charge controller is used.