On November 4, our class met with Eng. Korneliusz Sierpowski, scientist at the Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering at the Wrocław University of Technology. This time the topic of the meeting was PHOTOVOLTAICS, i.e. the use of solar energy.

The engineer presented the construction of the photovoltaic panel and the types of solar cells. We have learned two types of panels: common, with a slightly blue tint, based on silicon (rigid) and the newer so-called perovskites, which are in the form of thin translucent, flexible films. Perovskites are the technology of the future - they can be used to stick them on e.g. building windows, roofs, and cars.

We learned about the photovoltaic effect, how electricity is generated from solar radiation. Modules must be properly oriented to the Sun, they can be equipped with the so-called tracking systems. This is especially important on voltaic farms. Such farms are built in those places of the world that are most sunlit, i.e. located in near the equator. Currently, they are built, among others, in high mountain areas in China, Chile and Kenya. In the future, photovoltaic panels will also be mounted, for example, on umbrellas in restaurant gardens.

Photovoltaic cells are widely used, for example in water and sea transport they use them to drive the so-called engine. solar boats, the electricity supply of the International Space Station, are used by cars powered by panels, or the so-called pseudo-satellites - drones flying high in the atmosphere for up to 2 weeks without landing.

We have learned about the problems associated with the use of solar panels. As with wind turbines, energy storage is a problem. Work is underway on the construction of warehouses capable of storing enormous amounts of energy. The cells have a service life of 20-30 years, but the problem of recycling solar panels has not yet been resolved.

The lecture was enriched by animations, map presentations and demonstrations of simple devices that use voltaic panels, e.g. moving figures of a dancer or sumites. The meeting ended with numerous questions from students, incl. about the cost of cells, assembly time or profitability, permits for installation at houses, or an attempt to compare the amount of energy obtained thanks to wind turbines and solar panels, to which Mr. Cornelius patiently answered.