Why do solar panels have gaps?

The gaps are necessary to allow for thermal expansion of the cells when the panels heat in the sun. Both the fingers and the busbars are electrical conductors. The fingers, or finger-like contacts, are thin, metallic lines that collect and deliver energy from the solar cell to the busbars.

How do solar panels work?

The image above represents a cross section of a solar cell. You can see the aluminum at the bottom of the panel that allows ‘used’ electrons to flow back into the panel (thus completing the circuit) as well as the anti-reflective coating on top to allow the solar panel to absorb as much sunlight as possible.

What exactly composes a solar panel?

Today, let’s break down what exactly composes a solar panel so that we can learn a little more about this wonder of the modern world. The solar cells are what actually transform light into electricity. A typical residential solar panel includes 60 solar cells.

What are the gap lines on solar panels?

The gap lines are spaces between the solar cells, through which you can see the panel’s white backing. The gaps are necessary to allow for thermal expansion of the cells when the panels heat in the sun. Both the fingers and the busbars are electrical conductors.

Why do PV panels have white lines?

The answer lies in the way PV panels are designed and constructed. The white lines on photovoltaic modules serve one of three important purposes, depending on whether they’re the gaps, the fingers or the busbars. The gap lines are spaces between the solar cells, through which you can see the panel’s white backing.

How many solar cells are in a residential solar panel?

A typical residential solar panel includes 60 solar cells. If you look closely at the image above, you can see each square blue solar cell in the panel. Solar cells are made up of extremely thin layers of silicon (the 2 nd most common element in the universe), silver, aluminum, and a few other elements.