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How Does Solar Panel Technology Work?

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How Does Solar Panel Technology Work?

There is no way around it. It is a new age, and the time of fossil fuels is fading. New technologies have come to light that is environmentally sustainable and economical.

That being said, renewable energy is approached by many with a measure of skepticism. How can it derive energy from the sun, wind, or waves without adding expense to our lives?

The answer is that renewable energy has become a better option financially, environmentally, and economically. But still, for some, this ongoing question remains: how does solar panel technology work?

Renewable energy does indeed arrive at a cost premium. But it will quickly pay for itself in saved energy costs and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

To learn more about how solar panels work, continue reading.

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The Basics of Solar Panel Science

Using photovoltaic cells, solar panel technology is an energy conversion system that turns sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic cells are made from a semiconductor material, like silicon. This substance takes energy from the sun’s rays and turns it into electricity.

The electricity that is made is then used to power homes, businesses, and other buildings that are not connected to the traditional electric grid. In the past few years, solar panel technology has grown by leaps and bounds as people have become more aware of the need to stop using energy sources that aren’t sustainable.

Types of Solar Panels

Solar panel options are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film. Monocrystalline solar panels are constructed from cells cut from a single pure silicon crystal and are known for their black appearance.

Polycrystalline, or multi-crystalline, solar panels are created by melting various pieces of pure silicon. Their mottled blue hue distinguishes them.

Thin-film solar panels are made through vacuum deposition methods, where thin layers of photovoltaic material are put one at a time onto a substrate. This type of solar panel is known for its flexibility and typically has a brown or purple hue.

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Components of Solar Panels and Their Purposes

Solar panels are composed of various parts that work together to generate electricity. These parts include:

Solar Cells

Solar Cells are made up of positive and negative layers of semi-conductive material, typically silicon, separated by a small gap. When the sun’s rays strike a solar cell, the electrons are freed from their atomic bonds and flow from the negative layer to the positive layer, creating an electric current.

The electricity a solar cell can generate is directly proportional to the sunlight hitting it, so the more sun a solar panel gets, the more energy it can produce. Solar cells will use sunlight for most of their life cycles. However, they rely on other materials, such as silver, to transport the electricity from the source to the final destination.

Encapsulant

Encapsulant is an essential component of a solar panel. Its job is to keep water, dust, and other outside things from getting into the cells.

Encapsulant also helps to improve how well the panel works. It keeps the solar cells in place so that sunlight can be turned into electricity.

Encapsulants should be made of a solid material to protect the cells from moisture and physical shock. It must also be able to handle high and low temperatures. Because of this, high-grade ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is the most common material used in the industry for encapsulants.

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Glass Cover

A glass cover is responsible for protecting the interior parts of the board, which are incredibly delicate. Made of tempered glass, the glass cover stands firm against the external environment and is shatterproof and weather resistant.

It also serves as a long-term insulation system that ensures the solar cells remain in top shape. Besides this, the glass cover is also strongly reflective and efficiently reflects any sunlight that comes in contact with it. As a result, it boosts the energy output of solar panels.

Frame

A frame is used to keep the solar cells from moving around. This structure also helps keep the whole structure stable and ensures it can handle mechanical loads.

In addition, the frame also makes it easy to put the edge in the right place. The shape and size of the frame are important because it needs to fit nicely on the top.

Most frames are made of aluminum or steel, but some have also been made of carbon fiber and fiberglass. The frame has many uses, but it is essential because it protects fragile solar cells and ensures the system works at its best.

Backsheet

A solar panel’s back sheet is another important part. It is the layer that is right behind the cells that turn sunlight into electricity.

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If the solar panel didn’t have a back sheet, the cells would be exposed to the elements, which could cause corrosion, temperature changes, and other problems. The back sheet also acts as a barrier to electrical current so that it doesn’t flow across the solar panel and cause possible harm.

Back sheets are usually made of a thin PET and fluoropolymer film. They also have UV protectants to keep the cells from getting old or breaking down. Backsheets can sometimes be of different colors to protect the panel from lousy lighting.

Bus Bars

Bus bars help link the cells together. Most of the time, they are made of aluminum and move electricity from the solar cells to the inverters and other load centers.

Bus bars handle high voltages and currents, so they are insulated. Solid electrical connections are made by soldering and crimping the cells, bus bars, and inverters. The large, thick bars have a lot of surface area, which helps the connection points get rid of heat.

Junction Box

A junction box connects the solar panel, the inverter, and any other electrical systems. Junction boxes protect the solar panel system’s wiring and circuits by putting them in a waterproof and weatherproof box. This makes it less likely that water or other outside factors will cause short circuits or other problems.

They also make it easy to put together and keep up the solar panel system. The junction box also makes it easy to check on and change the output of the solar panel system. By putting sensors and metering units on the system, you can track how much energy it makes.

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Inverter

Inverters take the electricity made by solar panels and change it from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), the kind of electricity we use in our homes and businesses. This change makes it easier to store and use the electricity that comes from solar panels.

Without an inverter, we can’t use the DC electricity from solar panels. Instead, we’d have to use more expensive and complicated systems to convert it.

1679595350 155 How Does Solar Panel Technology Work

The Benefits of Solar Panels

Solar panel technology offers many environmental and economic advantages.

Clean Energy

Clean energy is a source of electricity that is good for the environment and rarely runs out. It is mainly made from renewable sources like wind, sun, biomass, and geothermal energy. Solar panel technology has some benefits, and clean energy is one of them.

Solar energy is free, can be used repeatedly, doesn’t pollute or make harmful byproducts, and can be used even when other sources aren’t available. The light from the sun is turned into photovoltaic energy and then into electricity by solar panels.

This solar energy is very efficient, saves money, and doesn’t cause any pollution. As energy prices keep rising, clean energy from solar panels looks more and more appealing.

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Reduced Energy Costs

Since solar energy is free and can be used repeatedly, using solar panels to make electricity helps lower energy costs. Solar energy can be used to power lights, appliances, and other electronic devices, among other things.

Replacing traditional power sources with solar panels can significantly reduce energy costs.

Improved Energy Independence

Solar panels are a reliable, renewable energy source. It gives you more energy and independence. Solar panels can make electricity in many places, even when there isn’t much light. This makes it easier for people to switch to this clean and cheap energy source.

Energy users can stop relying on traditional energy sources if they use solar energy. This makes energy independence a real possibility. As more and more people switch to solar energy, it becomes more and more possible to have better energy independence and more control over your power.

Increased Property Value

Homeowners who install solar panels benefit from increasing their property value. Solar energy is now seen as a valuable asset in real estate.

People who install solar panels on their property often find that their property value increases by about 4%. This is a great advantage for homeowners looking to sell their property, as it gives them more money to invest in other projects or investments.

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Low Maintenance

Solar panel technology can use photovoltaic cells to turn the energy from the sun into an electric current. Solar panels are relatively inexpensive and don’t need much if any, maintenance once they’re set up.

Solar panel systems can provide reliable electricity for decades with little maintenance if they are set up and kept in good shape. Also, if parts need to be replaced, you can easily find them at most hardware stores.

How Does Solar Panel Technology Work

The Cost of Solar Panel Technology

Home solar panels allow you to harness natural solar energy and turn it into electricity, saving money on your electricity bills and reducing the carbon footprint of your home.

Unfortunately, installing home solar panels is costly, with the average installation costing between $15,000 and $40,000, depending on the size and power of the home solar panel system.

System Number and Size

Since solar panels come in different sizes and can hold different amounts of power, smaller systems usually cost less than larger ones. The size of the system determines how much energy it can have. Since more extensive systems make more power and cost more, they are more efficient.

In general, the more complicated the installation process is and the bigger the system, the more it costs. Lastly, the number of panels needed to make the design can also affect the installation cost. More panels will make the total cost go up.

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Panel Efficiency

More efficient solar panels can make more energy from the same amount of sunlight, which will lower the overall price of home solar panels. Higher levels of efficiency also cut costs related to setting up the system, like the need for more panels and infrastructure.

Also, high-efficiency panels need less space to be installed, which cuts down on the cost of the area you would have otherwise required. The efficiency of solar panels is a critical factor in figuring out how much they cost, which directly affects how much the whole system costs.

Installation Costs

Installing a solar system for a home involves not only the equipment cost but also the labor cost to get the systems up and running. Professional solar installation companies can often provide an accurate price estimate for the installation costs.

Still, these estimates can vary widely depending on the location, climate, and other specific project details. If you want to go now and find the lowest costs of solar panel options in your area, click here.

Go Solar Today

Solar panel technology is revolutionizing the way we think about energy production. As more people become aware of the advantages of solar energy, its efficient and cost-effective capabilities make it a great alternative to traditional energy sources.

By making the switch, we can help reduce emissions and do our part to live sustainably. Join the movement for clean energy today. Invest in solar-powered energy solutions for your home or business.

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How To Combine PR and Content Marketing Superpowers To Achieve Business Goals

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A figure pulls open a dress shirt to reveal the term PR on a Superman-like costume, reflecting the superpower resulting from combining content and PR.

A transformative shift is happening, and it’s not AI.

The aisle between public relations and content marketing is rapidly narrowing. If you’re smart about the convergence, you can forever enhance your brand’s storytelling.

The goals and roles of content marketing and PR overlap more and more. The job descriptions look awfully similar. Shrinking budgets and a shrewd eye for efficiency mean you and your PR pals could face the chopping block if you don’t streamline operations and deliver on the company’s goals (because marketing communications is always first to be axed, right?).

Yikes. Let’s take a big, deep breath. This is not a threat. It’s an opportunity.

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Reach across the aisle to PR and streamline content creation, improve distribution strategies, and get back to the heart of what you both are meant to do: Build strong relationships and tell impactful stories.

So, before you panic-post that open-to-work banner on LinkedIn, consider these tips from content marketing, PR, and journalism pros who’ve figured out how to thrive in an increasingly narrowing content ecosystem.

1. See journalists as your audience

Savvy pros know the ability to tell an impactful story — and support it with publish-ready collateral — grounds successful media relationships. And as a content marketer, your skills in storytelling and connecting with audiences, including journalists, naturally support your PR pals’ media outreach.

Strategic storytelling creates content focused on what the audience needs and wants. Sharing content on your blog or social media builds relationships with journalists who source those channels for story ideas, event updates, and subject matter experts.

“Embedding PR strategies in your content marketing pieces informs your audience and can easily be picked up by media,” says Alex Sanchez, chief experience officer at BeWell, New Mexico’s Health Insurance Marketplace. “We have seen reporters do this many times, pulling stories from our blogs and putting them in the nightly news — most of the time without even reaching out to us.”

Acacia James, weekend producer/morning associate producer at WTOP radio in Washington, D.C., says blogs and social media posts are helpful to her work. “If I see a story idea, and I see that they’re willing to share information, it’s easier to contact them — and we can also backlink their content. It’s huge for us to be able to use every avenue.” 

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Kirby Winn, manager of PR at ImpactLife, says reporters and assignment editors are key consumers of their content. “And I don’t mean a news release that just hit their inbox. They’re going to our blog and consuming our stories, just like any other audience member,” he says. “Our organization has put more focus into content marketing in the past few years — it supports a media pitch so well and highlights the stories we have to tell.”

Storytelling attracts earned media that might not pick up the generic news topic. “It’s one thing to pitch a general story about how we help consumers sign up for low-cost health insurance,” Alex says. “Now, imagine a single mom who just got a plan after years of thinking it was too expensive. She had a terrible car accident, and the $60,000 ER bill that would have ruined her financially was covered. Now that’s a story journalists will want to cover, and that will be relatable to their audience and ours.” 

2. Learn the media outlet’s audience

Seventy-three percent of reporters say one-fourth or less of the stories pitched are relevant to their audiences, according to Cision’s 2023 State of the Media Report (registration required).

PR pros are known for building relationships with journalists, while content marketers thrive in building communities around content. Merge these best practices to build desirable content that works for your target audience and the media’s audiences simultaneously.

WTOP’s Acacia James says sources who show they’re ready to share helpful, relevant content often win pitches for coverage. “In radio, we do a lot of research on who is listening to us, and we’re focused on a prototype called ‘Mike and Jen’ — normal, everyday people in Generation X … So when we get press releases and pitches, we ask, ‘How interested will Mike and Jen be in this story?’” 

3. Deliver the full content package (and make journalists’ jobs easier)

Cranking out content to their media outlet’s standards has never been tougher for journalists. Newsrooms are significantly understaffed, and anything you can do to make their lives easier will be appreciated and potentially rewarded with coverage. Content marketers are built to think about all the elements to tell the story through multiple mediums and channels.

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“Today’s content marketing pretty much provides a package to the media outlet,” says So Young Pak, director of media relations at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. “PR is doing a lot of storytelling work in advance of media publication. We (and content marketing) work together to provide the elements to go with each story — photos, subject matter experts, patients, videos, and data points, if needed.”   

At WTOP, the successful content package includes audio. “As a radio station, we are focused on high-quality sound,” Acacia James says. “Savvy sources know to record and send us voice memos, and then we pull cuts from the audio … You will naturally want to do someone a favor if they did you one — like providing helpful soundbites, audio, and newsworthy stories.”  

While production value matters to some media, you shouldn’t stress about it. “In the past decade, how we work with reporters has changed. Back in the day, if they couldn’t be there in person, they weren’t going to interview your expert,” says Jason Carlton, an accredited PR professional and manager of marketing and communications at Intermountain Health. “During COVID, we had to switch to virtual interviewing. Now, many journalists are OK with running a Teams or Zoom interview they’ve done with an expert on the news.”

BeWell’s Alex Sanchez agrees. “I’ve heard old school PR folks cringe at the idea of putting up a Zoom video instead of getting traditional video interviews. It doesn’t really matter to consumers. Focus on the story, on the timeliness, and the relevance. Consumers want authenticity, not super stylized, stiff content.”

4. Unite great minds to maximize efficiency

Everyone needs to set aside the debate about which team — PR or content marketing — gets credit for the resulting media coverage.

At MedStar Washington Hospital Center, So Young and colleagues adopt a collaborative mindset on multichannel stories. “We can get the interview and gather information for all the different pieces — blog, audio, video, press release, internal newsletter, or magazine. That way, we’re not trying to figure things out individually, and the subject matter experts only have to have that conversation once,” she says.

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Regular, cross-team meetings are essential to understand the best channels for reaching key audiences, including the media. A story that began life as a press release might reap SEO and earned media gold if it’s strategized as a blog, video, and media pitch.

“At Intermountain Health, we have individual teams for media relations, marketing, social media, and hospital communications. That setup works well because it allows us to bring in the people who are the given experts in those areas,” says Intermountain’s Jason Carlton. “Together, we decide if a story is best for the blog, a media pitch, or a mix of channels — that way, we avoid duplicating work and the risk of diluting the story’s impact.”

5. Measure what matters

Cutting through the noise to earn media mentions requires keen attention to metrics. Since content marketing and PR metrics overlap, synthesizing the data in your team meetings can save time while streamlining your storytelling efforts.

“For content marketers, using analytical tools such as GA4 can help measure the effectiveness of their content campaigns and landing pages to determine meaningful KPIs such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, lead generation, and conversion rates,” says John Martino, director of digital marketing for Visiting Angels. “PR teams can use media coverage and social interactions to assess user engagement and brand awareness. A unified and omnichannel approach can help both teams demonstrate their value in enhancing brand visibility, engagement, and overall business success.”

To track your shared goals, launch a shared dashboard that helps tell the combined “story of your stories” to internal and executive teams. Among the metrics to monitor:

  • Page views: Obviously, this queen of metrics continues to be important across PR and content marketing. Take your analysis to the next level by evaluating which niche audiences are contributing to these views to further hone your storytelling targets, including media outlets.
  • Earned media mentions: Through a media tracker service or good old Google Alerts, you can tally the echo of your content marketing and PR. Look at your site’s referral traffic report to identify media outlets that send traffic to your blog or other web pages.
  • Organic search queries: Dive into your analytics platform to surface organic search queries that lead to visitors. Build from those questions to develop stories that further resonate with your audience and your targeted media.
  • On-page actions: When visitors show up on your content, what are they doing? What do they click? Where do they go next? Building next-step pathways is your bread and butter in content marketing — and PR can use them as a natural pipeline for media to pick up more stories, angles, and quotes.

But perhaps the biggest metric to track is team satisfaction. Who on the collaborative team had the most fun writing blogs, producing videos, or calling the news stations? Lean into the natural skills and passions of your team members to distribute work properly, maximize the team output, and improve relationships with the media, your audience, and internal teams.

“It’s really trying to understand the problem to solve — the needle to move — and determining a plan that will help them achieve their goal,” Jason says. “If you don’t have those measurable objectives, you’re not going to know whether you made a difference.”

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Don’t fear the merger

Whether you deliberately work together or not, content marketing and public relations are tied together. ImpactLife’s Kirby Winn explains, “As soon as we begin to talk about (ourselves) to a reporter who doesn’t know us, they are certainly going to check out our stories.”

But consciously uniting PR and content marketing will ease the challenges you both face. Working together allows you to save time, eliminate duplicate work, and gain free time to tell more stories and drive them into impactful media placements.

Register to attend Content Marketing World in San Diego. Use the code BLOG100 to save $100. Can’t attend in person this year? Check out the Digital Pass for access to on-demand session recordings from the live event through the end of the year.

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Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

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Trends in Content Localization – Moz

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Trends in Content Localization - Moz

Multinational fast food chains are one of the best-known examples of recognizing that product menus may sometimes have to change significantly to serve distinct audiences. The above video is just a short run-through of the same business selling smokehouse burgers, kofta, paneer, and rice bowls in an effort to appeal to people in a variety of places. I can’t personally judge the validity of these representations, but what I can see is that, in such cases, you don’t merely localize your content but the products on which your content is founded.

Sometimes, even the branding of businesses is different around the world; what we call Burger King in America is Hungry Jack’s in Australia, Lays potato chips here are Sabritas in Mexico, and DiGiorno frozen pizza is familiar in the US, but Canada knows it as Delissio.

Tales of product tailoring failures often become famous, likely because some of them may seem humorous from a distance, but cultural sensitivity should always be taken seriously. If a brand you are marketing is on its way to becoming a large global seller, the best insurance against reputation damage and revenue loss as a result of cultural insensitivity is to employ regional and cultural experts whose first-hand and lived experiences can steward the organization in acting with awareness and respect.

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How AI Is Redefining Startup GTM Strategy

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How AI Is Redefining Startup GTM Strategy

AI and startups? It just makes sense.

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