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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Sidebar 1: How solar panels work

Thursday, April 2, 2009

The process of converting small particles of light into electricity is called the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV cells are usually made of silicon. When sunlight hits the PV cell, the photons "knock" electrons loose from their atoms, creating a current.

Cells have metal contacts on the top and bottom to draw off the current to be used as electricity. Since solar cells are not very efficient, much of the sunlight being either being reflected or absorbed by the cell (like heat). Typically, a cell has an efficiency of about 15 per cent. However, Steven Novack of the Idaho National Laboratories has come up with an inexpensive, foldable solar panel which may turn out to be up to 80 per cent efficient, when and if it comes to market.

The key measures of electricity are:
•     Kilowatt: 1000 watts.
•     Kilowatt hour: A unit of energy equivalent to one kilowatt of  power expended for one hour.
•     Megawatt: one million watts. BF
 

Current Issue

October 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Gleaner T Series Combine Updates

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Gleaner continues to advance harvest technology with its new T Series combine, delivering major improvements in power, reliability, and ease of operation. Designed with the farmer in mind, the T Series focuses on performance, accessibility, and cutting-edge precision tools for... Read this article online

Ontario Invests $41M to Boost Agri-Food Innovation

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $41 million over the next four years to enhance and modernize infrastructure under Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO). This initiative, part of the province’s plan to safeguard Ontario’s agri-food sector,... Read this article online

Six Ontario Students Earn Hensall Co-op Scholarships

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Hensall Co-op, along with its Board of Directors and employees, has proudly announced the recipients of the fourth annual Bright Futures Scholarship. This year, six exceptional students from across Southwestern Ontario have been awarded a total of $15,000 to assist with their... Read this article online

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