Home Solar Panels Faq

Solar energy begins with sunlight hitting your solar panels which creates direct current dc electricity via the photo voltaic effect.

Home solar panels faq.

Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic pv cells made of silicon. Today s panels also benefit from 60 years of development and improvement. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that s delivered to your home s main electrical service panel. The ac energy flows from your inverter to your main electrical panel or possibly a sub panel if you have one and then is used to power all of your home s lights appliances gizmos and gadgets anything.

The predecessors of modern solar panels made in the 1970 s are still producing power. Solar panels convert sunshine into power so if your panels are covered in snow they can t produce electricity. Panels are typically three feet by five feet. Individual cells are wired together to form a solar panel.

Solar panels like the ones that will go on your roof are designed tested in labs and real life to withstand rain snow hail wind and of course the sun. How do i know if solar panels are a good choice for me. Snow generally isn t heavy enough to cause structural issues with your panels and since most panels are tilted at an angle the snow will slide off. That energy flows into your inverter which converts the dc energy into alternating current ac electricity that can be used to power your home.

Your solar panel system turns on and off automatically. Your home will use the electricity generated by your solar panels first and then pull any other electricity you need from the grid. If you use less electricity than your solar panels generate the excess generation can be put back on the grid.