Here s an example of how a home solar energy installation works.
How do solar panels create energy for homes.
Learn more about how pv works.
Step by step overview solar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells generating direct current dc energy and then converting it to usable alternating current ac energy with the help of inverter technology.
Solar panel wattage represents a solar panel s theoretical power production under ideal sunlight and temperature conditions.
Wattage is calculated by multiplying volts x amps where volts represents the amount of force of the electricity and amperes amps refers to the aggregate amount of energy used.
But the majority of homeowners with solar panels don t use them as the exclusive source of residential power.
Instead they are connected to the utility grid in a process called net metering nem.
The first consideration is the solar irradiation levels available in the home s geographical location.
Solar cells which are usually placed on the roof are made up of layers of semi conducting material which create an electric field when the sun shines on them causing electricity to flow.
As the sun hits the solar panels they generate direct current dc electricity where the electrons flow around a circuit in one direction.
The second technology is concentrating solar power or csp.
When the sun shines onto a solar panel photons from the sunlight are absorbed by the cells in the panel which creates an electric field across the layers and causes electricity to flow.
Ac energy then flows through the home s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly.
The stronger the sun the more electricity is produced.
The panels convert the energy to dc current which flows to an inverter.
There is no doubt that solar panels will continue to drop in cost and increase in productive capacity in the future.
In order for your home to use this energy it must be converted from dc electricity to alternating current ac electricity where the electrons are pushed and pulled.
First sunlight hits a solar panel on the roof.