How residential solar power works

How does solar power work?

Solar power works by converting sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic (PV) effect. The PV effect is when photons from the sun’s rays knock electrons from their atomic orbit and channel them into an electrical current. Using PV solar panels, sunlight can be used to power everything from calculators to homes to space stations.

How do solar panels generate electricity?

Solar panels generate electricity by absorbing sunlight with solar cells. They use this sunlight to create direct current (DC) electricity through a process called 'the photovoltaic effect'.

How do solar panels turn sunlight into electricity?

Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic (PV) effect, which is why they’re often referred to as PV panels. How Do Solar Panels Power Your Home? The photovoltaic effect occurs when photons from the sun’s rays hit the semiconductive material (typically silicon) in the cell of the solar module.

How does a home solar system work?

However, home solar systems typically generate excess electricity during the day, which can be stored in batteries or sent to the local grid in exchange for net metering credits. This is how solar owners maintain power when the sun isn’t shining.

Can solar panels power your home?

Solar power has many applications, from powering calculators to cars to entire communities. It even powers space stations like the Webb Space Telescope. But most people are concerned about how solar panels can power their house and reduce their electricity bill. How Do Solar Panels Work? Here’s a step-by-step overview of how home solar power works:

Do solar panels generate electricity during the day?

Solar panels require sunlight to generate electricity, so they do not generate electricity during the day. However, home solar systems typically generate excess electricity during the day, which can be stored in batteries or sent to the local grid in exchange for net metering credits.