How Solar Energy Works: A Step By Step Guide
Have you been thinking of installing Solar Panels but can’t get your head round how they work?
You’ve came to the right place to find out! The panels are just one component of a sophisticated system designed to harness renewable energy from the sun and power your home. Let’s dive into the mechanics of solar power in this simple step by step guide
How Solar Panels generate electricity
Step 1: Activation by Sunlight Each solar panel is made up of silicon cells, a metal frame, a glass casing coated with a special film, and wiring. These panels are arranged into arrays and strategically positioned on roofs or expansive outdoor areas to maximise sunlight absorption. The photovoltaic cells within these panels absorb sunlight during daylight hours.
Step 2: Electrical Current Production Nested within each solar cell is a thin semiconductor wafer crafted from two layers of silicon—one positively charged, the other negatively charged—forming an electric field. When sunlight strikes these photovoltaic cells, it energises them, causing electrons to detach from atoms within the semiconductor wafer. The electric field surrounding the wafer propels these liberated electrons into motion, generating an electrical current.
Step 3: Conversion of Electrical Energy While solar panels efficiently convert sunlight into electricity, the generated electricity is in the form of direct current (DC), which differs from the alternating current (AC) electricity that powers most homes. However, this disparity is easily remedied by a device known as an inverter. Modern solar systems incorporate inverters that can be centralised or distributed as microinverters behind each panel.
Step 4: Powering Your Home Once the DC electricity is converted into AC electricity, it passes through your electrical panel and is distributed throughout your home to power appliances. This process mirrors the flow of electricity from traditional utility companies, necessitating no alterations within the home. Moreover, remaining connected to the conventional power grid allows for seamless supplementation of solar energy during shortages.
Step 5: Usage Measurement with a Net Meter During overcast days or nighttime, solar panels may not capture sufficient sunlight for energy production. Conversely, during peak sunlight hours when energy consumption is low, surplus energy may be generated. To account for this fluctuation, a meter measures electricity flow both into and out of your home. Many utility companies offer credits for excess power you feed back into the grid, a practice known as net metering.
Now equipped with the fundamentals of solar energy, you can appreciate how contemporary photovoltaic technology taps into the sun's immense power to sustain households. While not rocket science, it exemplifies human ingenuity at its finest.
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