Q:So idk how to connect a solar panel to a battery ...is it like a series connection from the solar panel to the battery, or a parallel connection from solar cell to battery? (to charge) please and thank you

it depends how big the panel is. a small trickle charger (like a 2W panel with built-in diode), just connect + to + and - to - (parallel) to trickle charge the battery. The diode will keep the batter from discharging through the panel when there is insufficient sunlight. for a large panel (like a 220W 24v panel), you best go through a charge controller. the charge controller has 2 leads for the solar panel input, 2 leads for the battery connection and 2 leads for the 2v load. just follow the instructions to connect the panel and battery to the controller, and MAKE SURE YOU USE THE REQUIRED FUSES. very straightforward stuff -- just RTFM

Q:China is the world's biggest producer of solar panels

America should be making the panels and imposing large tariffs on any country trying to import theirs here.

Q:Are there any health risks associated with solar panels?

Overall, solar panels do not pose significant health risks. They are a safe and environmentally friendly source of energy. However, some minor risks can include potential electrical hazards during installation or maintenance, such as electric shock or fire. Additionally, the production and disposal of solar panels may involve certain toxic materials, although efforts are made to minimize their impact. Nonetheless, these risks are generally well-managed and can be mitigated through proper installation, maintenance, and adherence to safety guidelines.

Q:Could you throw some long scientific words in with your answer so I can impress my teacher, I'm looking to expand my scientific vocab. Thanks

Solar panels are a generic term for any type of solar collecting panel. There are two major types: Photovoltaic uses substances that turn the incoming radiation directly into electricity. Usually you have to have direct sunlight (no clouds) for this to work well. Solar thermal is also used in a lot of areas. Here the radiation is used to heat a circulating fluid (often water directly), and then that is either used directly, or it's used for heat exchange with a heat pump or a boiler system. Solar thermal can collect significant heat even on a cloudy day. So a solar panel could be made of photovoltaic panels, but it doesn't have to be.

Q:Why might energy from the solar panels sometimes be near zero even in the summer?

Because when the sun is down there is no solar energy, therefore they produce zero energy. This can happen any time of the year when the sun has set. But not to worry, they the sun will rise the next day. ;-) If you need constant power, it is best to connect the solar panels to the grid or to batteries to have power throughout the day and night too !

Q:Thanks

Initial cost , space occupied AND DAILY CYCLE (unless through a battery) are the only disadvantages. REST ARE ALL ADVANTAGES

Q:My house is aligned exactly North-South, so I have no roof facing South. Is it worth installing solar panels? Are there any good options for dealing with this situation?

Several options: The panels could be mounted on the ground. We mount panels on a roof because they are out of the way but it is not the best choice. The highest output (and most expensive) choice is to mount the panels on the ground fixed in a heliostat (sun tracking mechanism) Far better if the panels are on the ground where they can be more easily cleaned to promote top efficiency. If you have the room they can be mounted in an angled array. Panels can be mounted on the side of a house or on the roof using racks to position the panels properly. We usually say that if we can get the panels within 5 degrees of due south it is sufficient. You could even mount the panels flat onto the side of a house and use mirror mounted heliostats to reflect sunlight to them. All of these options will be more expensive than a perfectly oriented home. There are also other alternatives for producing electricity, conserving electricity through energy savings, or production of other forms of energy that offsets electrical usage. A site survey is the best way to determine this.

Q:For those solar panels that you install on your rooftops, do they generate electricity when it's cloudy? And if yes, how much electricity does it generate compared to sunny days? For example...like only 25% electricity generated compared to sunny days?

No, silicon photovoltaics reacts to a very specific frequency of infrared light which matches the bandgap energy of it's outer electron shell. This frequency is reflected by clouds. However, thermal solar collectors such as evacuated tube collectors can function under cloudy skies albeit at a lower rate and there is at least one hybrid photovoltaic and thermal panel designed to take advantage of this.

Q:I am curious about how much of the energy that a solar panel of a given size and capacity will produce in it's lifetime, and what fraction of that energy was required to produce it in the first place?

Best way to determine that is to find the retail cost of a solar panel and compare it to the retail cost of oil. Assuming similar profit margins a $300 solar panel costs the same to produce as 00 gallons of oil.