Answers:
As far as I know, solar cell are the same as solar panel; flat sheets of silicon crystals that collect sunlight and turn it into electricity.
Fuel cells are something entirely different. They are special battery that use hydrogen or something as a chemical storage medium, which they can convert into electricity (normal battery work with acids or alkalines).
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. Fuel cell differ from batteries contained by that they are designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; they produce electricity from an external supply of fuel and oxidant (typically oxygen or air, although chlorine and chlorine dioxide own also been used among others[1]) as defiant the limited internal spirit storage capacity of a battery-operated. Additionally, while the electrodes within a freestyle react and redeploy as a battery is charged or discharged, a fuel cell's electrodes are catalytic and relatively stable.
Typical reactants used within a fuel cell are hydrogen on the anode side and oxygen on the cathode side (a hydrogen cell). Usually, reactants flow in and spontaneous effect products flow out. The electrolyte remains in the cell. Virtually continuous long-term operation is possible as long as these flows are maintained.
A solar cell (or a "photovoltaic" cell) is a device that converts photons from the sun (solar light) into electricity. In common, a solar cell that includes both solar and nonsolar sources of light (such as photons from incandescent bulbs) is term a photovoltaic cell. Fundamentally, the device needs to fulfill solely two functions: photogeneration of charge carriers (electrons and holes) surrounded by a light-absorbing material, and separation of the charge carrier to a conductive contact that will transmit the electricity. This conversion is called the photovoltaic effect, and the grazing land of research related to solar cells is specified as photovoltaics.
Solar cells own many applications. Historically solar cell have be used in situations where on earth electrical power from the grid is unavailable, such as contained by remote area power systems, Earth orbit satellites, consumer systems, e.g. handheld calculators or wrist watches, remote radiotelephones and water pumping applications. Recently solar cell are particularly used contained by assemblies of solar modules (photovoltaic arrays) connected to the electricity grid through an inverter, often within combination with a web metering arrangement.
Solar cells are regard as one of the key technology towards a sustainable energy supply.
Solar cells convert flimsy into electricity.
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Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity. Except there's another step; near is no source of free hydrogen for fuel cells, so hydrogen must be 'made' by using electricity to separate hydrogen from dampen.
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This means that fuel cell are not a source of energy - fairly they are a means of reclaim stored energy, much resembling a battery.
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This is a principal difference. The solar cell provides essentially free vivacity. The fuel cell does not.
Solar cell convert light into current. A fuel cell uses hydrogen or hydrogen rich "fuels" to convert hydrogen into electricity, heat and sea. A fuel cell requires a steady flow of fuel to operate and is not a battery. Several manufacturer include Plug Power, International Fuel Cells and Ballard. A good resource on fuel cell would be the American Hydrogen Association.
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As far as I know, solar cell are the same as solar panel; flat sheets of silicon crystals that collect sunlight and turn it into electricity.
Fuel cells are something entirely different. They are special battery that use hydrogen or something as a chemical storage medium, which they can convert into electricity (normal battery work with acids or alkalines).
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. Fuel cell differ from batteries contained by that they are designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; they produce electricity from an external supply of fuel and oxidant (typically oxygen or air, although chlorine and chlorine dioxide own also been used among others[1]) as defiant the limited internal spirit storage capacity of a battery-operated. Additionally, while the electrodes within a freestyle react and redeploy as a battery is charged or discharged, a fuel cell's electrodes are catalytic and relatively stable.
Typical reactants used within a fuel cell are hydrogen on the anode side and oxygen on the cathode side (a hydrogen cell). Usually, reactants flow in and spontaneous effect products flow out. The electrolyte remains in the cell. Virtually continuous long-term operation is possible as long as these flows are maintained.
A solar cell (or a "photovoltaic" cell) is a device that converts photons from the sun (solar light) into electricity. In common, a solar cell that includes both solar and nonsolar sources of light (such as photons from incandescent bulbs) is term a photovoltaic cell. Fundamentally, the device needs to fulfill solely two functions: photogeneration of charge carriers (electrons and holes) surrounded by a light-absorbing material, and separation of the charge carrier to a conductive contact that will transmit the electricity. This conversion is called the photovoltaic effect, and the grazing land of research related to solar cells is specified as photovoltaics.
Solar cells own many applications. Historically solar cell have be used in situations where on earth electrical power from the grid is unavailable, such as contained by remote area power systems, Earth orbit satellites, consumer systems, e.g. handheld calculators or wrist watches, remote radiotelephones and water pumping applications. Recently solar cell are particularly used contained by assemblies of solar modules (photovoltaic arrays) connected to the electricity grid through an inverter, often within combination with a web metering arrangement.
Solar cells are regard as one of the key technology towards a sustainable energy supply.
Solar cells convert flimsy into electricity.
*
Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity. Except there's another step; near is no source of free hydrogen for fuel cells, so hydrogen must be 'made' by using electricity to separate hydrogen from dampen.
*
This means that fuel cell are not a source of energy - fairly they are a means of reclaim stored energy, much resembling a battery.
*
This is a principal difference. The solar cell provides essentially free vivacity. The fuel cell does not.
Solar cell convert light into current. A fuel cell uses hydrogen or hydrogen rich "fuels" to convert hydrogen into electricity, heat and sea. A fuel cell requires a steady flow of fuel to operate and is not a battery. Several manufacturer include Plug Power, International Fuel Cells and Ballard. A good resource on fuel cell would be the American Hydrogen Association.
Related Questions:
What brands of solar power panel I can trust?
I am very interested in installing solar panels at my home, so I needed to check other people's experiences and recommendations. Thank you!! Stay away from the cheap Chinese made panels. They only final about 5 yrs. and don't produce the watts they are rated for. Otherwise, any of the major designation brands...