|
Modern solar panels are a combination of magnifying glasses and fluid filled pipes. The solar panel on the right has a glass front which is specially made to focus the power of the sun on pipes behind it. The pipes carry a special fluid that heats up rapidly. They are painted black to absorb the heat from the sun. The silver reflective surface behind the pipes reflects sun light back, further heating the pipes and the fluid they contain. The reflective surface also protects anything behind the solar panel (such as a roof). The heat produced in the pipes is then used to heat a tank of water. This saves using electricity or gas to heat up the water tank.
|
