How To Pv Solar Panels Work

Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units.

How to pv solar panels work.

When you install solar panels on your house the pv cells convert sunlight into direct current dc and an inverter connected to the system is what converts direct current into alternating current ac which is the type of current needed to power your household appliances. Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells generating direct current dc energy and then converting it to usable alternating current ac energy with the help of inverter technology. Most pv systems are based on individual square cells a few inches on a side. When exposed to daylight the semi conducting material becomes energised and this produces electricity.

Solar panels are made of a thin layer of semi conducting material sandwiched between a sheet of glass and a polymer resin. There are three basic types of solar cells. Solar pv operates on light rather than heat so even if the day seems cool if there is light the system will be generating electricity. Some materials exhibit a property known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb photons of light and release electrons.

Solar cells can also be integrated directly into the roof tiles this is more suitable for new builds than retrofits. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. The panels are then either used as separate units or grouped into larger arrays. This power runs through your electrical panel box just like electricity you get from the grid and you can potentially run your entire house on solar power than power taken from the grid.

Pv systems will generate electricity all year round although for a number of reasons the output will fluctuate seasonally with the most electricity being produced in the bright summer months. Ac energy then flows through the home s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly. When these free electrons are captured an electric current results that can be used as electricity. To see how solar works let s look at a typical pv system.