Despite the growing number of people switching to solar energy, a lot of them are yet to understand how it all worksstarting from solar panels. All we know is that you mount it, install the necessary materials needed like solar battery storage and an inverter, check if it's working and that's it. While it's not that hard to figure out, having a full understanding of how your solar panels provide you with energy from the sun is still important, and can even help you with maximising your solar panel setup's benefits.
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For an easier breakdown, here is the step-by-step process of how solar panels operate on an ideal day:
Step 1: Solar Panel Activation
Whether you have a standard fixed solar panel mounted on the roof of your home or a flexible solar panel on your caravan, all individual panels in these are made up of silicon cells held by a metal frame, and a glass casing coated with a special film. These cells are usually arranged in an ordered series or "arrays" to generate maximum output and are often referred to as photovoltaic cells. They're mainly responsible for the initial task of absorbing sunlight during the day which translates into electrical current later on.
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Step 2: Production of Electrical Current
Remember the silicon layers in each solar cell? Two layers of these make up a thin semiconductor wafer with positive and negative sides to form an electric field. When sunlight hits your photovoltaic cell, it activates the cell and releases the electrons within the semiconductor. This motion within these cells is what creates the electrical current that will then be converted into usable energy.
Step 3: Conversion of Electrical Energy
Your solar panels are now ready to transform sunlight into electricity, but this electricity is still in the form of direct current (DC), which is not the type of electricity suitable for running your home appliances. If you want to power your home, you need to be supplied with alternating current (AC) electricity. Fortunately, the DC electricity generated by your solar panels can easily be converted to AC electricity through an inverter. Also, a lot of modern solar systems have a built-in inverter for the entire setup already or have an individual, microinverter attached behind each panel.
Step 4: AC Electricity Powers Your Home
This is every solar system owner's much-awaited part. The converted AC energy from your solar panels will now be distributed within your appliances. There is not much difference between this and the power generated through the grid, so no necessary changes in your home need to be done. You still remain connected to your original source of power from your electric unit company, so you can still draw electricity from it in case your solar panels don't supply ample electricity. This usually happens during a cloudy day, or if you need to do a bit of solar panel cleaning already.
In addition to all these steps, it would also be wise to install a meter along with your solar system. This is to measure the electricity flowing to and from your home. During cloudy days or at night, your solar panels may not be able to capture as much energy and in the same way, they may also collect surplus energy in the middle of the day even when no one is at home to use it. Having a meter will help determine any surplus power you have, so your utility power can provide credits for it. This process is called net metering.
Knowing how solar panels operate is the first step to switching to solar energy. Aside from having an idea of what goes in and out of your home, this can also help you determine the best ways to get the most out of your system whether you're using it in your household or in your outdoor adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do solar panels work? (A step-by-step guide)
Solar panels work through a three-step process:
Absorption: The photovoltaic cells within the panel absorb sunlight.
Conversion: This sunlight energizes the cells, causing electrons to move, which generates Direct Current (DC) electricity. This is known as the "photovoltaic effect."
Distribution: The DC electricity is sent to an inverter, which converts it into Alternating Current (AC), the type of electricity used to power homes and appliances.
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What is the main function of a solar panel?
The main function of a solar panel is to capture sunlight and convert it into usable electricity for powering homes, campsites, or other applications.
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What is the photovoltaic effect?
The photovoltaic effect is the process that occurs inside a solar panel's photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight strikes the cells, it creates an electric field that causes electrons to move, thereby generating a flow of electricity.
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What are photovoltaic (PV) cells?
Photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells, are the individual components that make up a solar panel. They are responsible for absorbing sunlight and converting it into electrical energy.
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What is the role of an inverter in a solar power system?
The role of an inverter is to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into Alternating Current (AC) electricity. This conversion is necessary because most household appliances and the electrical grid run on AC power.
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What is the difference between DC and AC electricity?
Direct Current (DC): This is the type of electricity produced by solar panels and stored in batteries. It flows in a single, constant direction.
Alternating Current (AC): This is the type of electricity used to power most homes and appliances. Its direction alternates back and forth.
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What happens to the electricity after it's converted to AC?
After being converted to AC, the electricity flows from the inverter to the switchboard (or fuse box), which then distributes it throughout the house to power lights and appliances.
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What is the purpose of a solar battery?
A solar battery is used to store any excess electricity that the solar panels generate but is not immediately used. This stored power can then be used at night or on cloudy days when the panels are not producing energy.
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How is sunlight turned into usable power for a house?
Sunlight is turned into usable power when it hits a solar panel's PV cells, creating DC electricity. This DC power is then passed through an inverter, which changes it to AC power that can be distributed through the home's switchboard to run appliances.
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Why can't you use power directly from a solar panel?
You can't use power directly from a solar panel for most home appliances because the panel produces DC electricity, while the appliances and electrical grid are designed to run on AC electricity. An inverter is required to make the power compatible.
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What happens if my solar panels produce more energy than I use?
If your solar panels produce more energy than you are using, the excess power can be stored in a solar battery for later use or, in some grid-tied systems, it can be sent back to the public power grid.
