We all know solar panels convert the energy from the sun into electricity we can use to power our home and business appliances and utilities – but how does solar work and what’s the science behind solar energy?

What Are Solar Panels Made Of?

Modern solar panels are made using multiple cells made from different semiconductors like polycrystalline silicon or monocrystalline silicon or other semiconductors that provide a photovoltaic effect which is crucial for solar panels. These cells are then connected together in different densities and quality to achieve a specific pout output and rating for the solar panel. In most cases, a solar panel is covered in a weather resistant coating to ensure long term use and protection against the elements. Almost all modern solar panels come with connectors that connect them with solar batteries that store energy.

How Solar Panels Work?

As mentioned earlier, solar panels work by converting light from the sun into electricity using photovoltaic cells. Solar panels are comprised of numerous individual photovoltaic cells. When light from the sun falls on a cell it makes an electric field which when consolidated with the various solar cells on the board, is able to convert it into electricity that can be used in your home.

An inverter is utilized to turn the DC electricity created by the solar panels into AC electricity. The electricity is forwarded through a meter into your home's consumer unit. Your home will run on the free energy being provided by solar panels, changing back to the grid when required. Any electricity that is generated yet not utilized is sent back to the grid for other to use. In case that your solar energy system runs out of energy or fails to provide enough energy for your home or business to run on, more electricity is drawn from the grid to meet the energy demand. The meter records the flow of electricity from the grid to your property and the other way around. If you’re generating more energy than you are using then this meter starts going in reverse, and you are credited for the amount of electricity generated through the process of net metering.

This set up minimizes costs and balances out the day and night cycle as well as supplementing for cloudy and sunny days. If you haven’t made the switch to an off-grid solar storage solution then you’ll need to pull some energy from the grid, especially at night and in cloudy weather when there isn’t any sunlight to convert into electricity. However, there is no reason to worry. Even if you rely on electricity from the grid, it will be offset by the excess solar energy that you generate throughout the day or during periods of low energy consumption.