How Solar Panels Work

Since the discovery of how sunlight could be converted to electric current, the key question has been how this process work and how it can be made more efficient. Solar panels are the most common way of converting sun arrays to electricity and in this post, I have explained a step-by-step process of how solar panels work.

So, how do solar panels work? 5 Steps

Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. This is done by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. Let me explain the steps of how solar panels get you electricity;

Step 1: Sunlight hits PV Cells made of semiconductor

When sunlight hits the PV cells, the movement of particles within it starts the process of converting the sun arrays to electricity. Solar panels are made of several individual PV cells that are made from silicon, a very efficient semiconductor.

PV cells are made from materials like silicon, germanium, or selenium. When PV cells are connected together in a solar panel, they create what is called a photovoltaic system. The most common type of solar panel uses silicon PV cells. Silicon PV cells have a higher efficiency than other types of PV cells.

Below is a cross-section of a solar cell;

Step 2: Electric field is created

When the sun rays hit the silicon PV cells, the photons knock electrons loose from their atoms. This process is called the photovoltaic effect. The electrons flow through the silicon PV cell and into an external circuit. This flow of electrons creates an electric current.

Step 3: Direct Current (DC) flows through External Circuit

The electric current created in step 2 flows through an external circuit. This circuit can be used to power devices or to store the energy in batteries.

Step 4: AC is produced by the inverter

The direct current (DC) from the solar panel is not very useful to most people, as it’s difficult to use in homes and businesses. So, an inverter is needed to convert the DC into an alternating current (AC). AC can be used to power devices and is the type of electricity that flows through power lines.

Step 5: Storage

The electricity produced by solar panels can be stored in batteries. This is useful when there is no sunlight, such as at night or on cloudy days. Batteries can also provide backup power during a power outage. There are different types of batteries, but lead-acid batteries are the most common type used with solar panels.

What are solar panels made of?

Most solar panels you see on American homes are made of PV cells that are made using materials such as silicon, germanium, or selenium. When these PV cells are connected together in a solar panel, they create what is called a photovoltaic system. PV cells are responsible for converting sunlight to electrical current.

The most common PV material is silicon and it is preferred because it has a higher efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity. However, silicon is a very expensive material. As a result, scientists are working on finding cheaper materials that can be used to create PV cells.

How do solar panels work on a house?

In a house wired to utilize solar panels to generate electricity, the panels are usually mounted on the roof. Sunlight hits the PV cells on the solar panels and creates an electric field. This electric field flows through an external circuit, which can be used to power devices or store the energy in batteries. The direct current (DC) from the solar panel is not very useful to most people, as it difficult to use in homes and businesses. So, an inverter is needed to convert the DC into an alternating current (AC). AC can be used to power devices and is the type of electricity that flows through power lines.

How do solar panels work at night?

At night, your solar panels won’t generate electricity because there is no sunlight. However, your solar panels will still work to power your home. This is because the batteries in your solar panel system will store energy from the sun during the day. This stored energy can then be used at night to power your home.

How do solar panels work diagram?

Below is a diagram showing the 5 steps of how solar panels work;

How do solar panels work for kids

When explaining how solar panels work to kids, it is important to simplify some concepts such as DC, AC, photons, and such. You can explain it simply by following these key steps;

1. -Sunlight shines on the solar panels and PV cells convert the sunlight into electrical current.
2. -An external circuit is used to direct this current and use it to power devices or store the energy in batteries.
3. -The direct current (DC) from the solar panel is not very useful to most people, as it difficult to use in homes and businesses.
4. -So, an inverter is needed to convert the DC into an alternating current (AC). AC can be used to power devices and is the type of electricity that flows through power lines.
5. -Solar panels usually need sunlight to generate electricity, but they will still work at night using energy stored from the sun during the day.

Solar Panel Components

There are a few different components that make up a solar panel system. In this section, we will discuss each component in detail:

-Solar Panels: Solar panels are the most important part of a solar panel system. They are responsible for converting sunlight into electrical current.

-Inverter: An inverter is needed to convert the direct current (DC) generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC). This is the type of electricity that is used in our homes.

-Solar Battery: A solar battery can be used to store energy for later use. This is useful for when there is no sunlight, such as at night or on cloudy days. Batteries can also provide backup power during a power outage.

-Solar Charge Controller: A solar charge controller is used to regulate the flow of electricity from the solar panels to the battery. It ensures that the batteries are not charged too quickly, which can damage them.

-Mounting System: The mounting system is used to attach the solar panels to your roof. There are different types of mounting systems, depending on the type of roof you have.

-Wiring: Wiring is used to connect all of the components of the solar panel system together.

Now that we’ve discussed the different components of a solar panel system, let’s take a closer look at how solar panels work.

Solar Panel Accessories:

• Bulbs for lighting: You can use solar-powered bulbs for lighting both inside and outside of your home. These bulbs are available in a variety of styles, including LED, CFL, and incandescent.
• Solar-powered phone charger: A solar-powered phone charger is a great way to keep your phone charged while you’re on the go. There are a variety of different chargers available, including portable chargers and solar panels that can be attached to your backpack.
• Solar oven: A solar oven is a great way to cook food without using any electricity. Solar ovens can be used to bake, roast, or even fry food.
• Solar-powered water heater: A solar-powered water heater is a great way to heat your water without using any electricity. These heaters use the sun’s energy to heat up water, which then flows into your home’s plumbing system.

Now that you know about some of the different solar panel accessories available, you can start incorporating solar power into your everyday life.

FAQs

Q: How do solar panels work without batteries?

A: Solar panels can actually work without batteries. In this case, the electricity produced by the solar panels would be used immediately as it is generated. However, batteries are often used with solar panels because they can store energy for later use. This is useful for when there is no sunlight, such as at night or on cloudy days. Batteries can also provide backup power during a power outage.

Q: What are the different types of solar panels?

A: There are a few different types of solar panels. The most common type is the PV cell, which is made using materials such as silicon, germanium, or selenium. PV cells are responsible for converting sunlight to electrical current. However, silicon is a very expensive material, so scientists are working on finding cheaper materials that can be used to create PV cells. Another type of solar panel is the solar thermal panel. Solar thermal panels use sunlight to heat up water or another fluid, which can then be used to generate electricity. Lastly, there are solar panels that use Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). CSP uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a single point, which then creates heat that is used to generate electricity.

Q: How do solar panels work in winter?

A: Solar panels actually work better in winter! This is because the sun’s rays are more direct in winter, so they hit the PV cells at a more perpendicular angle. This means that more sunlight is absorbed, and more electricity is generated.

Q: Do solar panels work in cloudy weather?

A: Yes, solar panels do work in cloudy weather. However, they won’t generate as much electricity as they would on a sunny day. This is because clouds block some of the sunlight from hitting the PV cells.

Q: What is the lifespan of a solar panel?

A: Solar panels are designed to last for a long time. Most solar panels have a warranty of 25 years, but they can actually last much longer than that. Many solar panels are still generating electricity after 40 years!

Q: Do solar panels work during a power outage?

A: Yes, solar panels can provide power during a power outage. However, they will only work if you have a backup battery installed. This is because solar panels cannot generate electricity without sunlight.

Q: How much do solar panels cost?

A: The cost of solar panels varies depending on the size and type of panel. However, on average, solar panels cost between $3 and $4 per watt. So, a 100-watt solar panel would cost between $300 and $400.

Q: Are solar panels worth it?

A: Solar panels are definitely worth it! They are a great investment because they will save you money on your energy bills, and they will also help to protect the environment. Solar panels are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help fight climate change.