Solar panels are one of the most important inventions of our time. How do solar panels work? Let's take a look at some key components of solar panel systems and how they convert sunlight into usable electricity!

How exactly do solar panels work?

If a solar panel is your ticket to the clean energy revolution, then you will want to know what they’re made of and how they work. If you speak with Solar panel specialists, you will discover that A solar panel is a device that converts solar energy into electricity—and it comes in many different sizes and shapes. The most basic type of solar panel is made up of multiple silicon cells connected in series (one after another) or parallel (all at once) in order to form an array that generates electricity when exposed to light.

How solar panels turn the sun into energy

There are two main parts of a solar panel, the photovoltaic cells and the frame. The photovoltaic cells are made from semiconductors that absorb photons from the sun and convert them into electricity, which then travels through wires to power your home or charge batteries.

The process is straightforward: light photons hit a semiconductor, knock electrons loose and make them flow through an electrical circuit that creates energy.

The solar panel components

The solar panels you see on rooftops and in fields are made up of several components, each responsible for a different function. The most important of these is the photovoltaic cells themselves, which turn sunlight into electricity. Other important components include an aluminum frame that supports the photovoltaic cells and keeps them in place, as well as some sort of heavy-duty glass or plastic cover to protect them from weather damage. Seek further advice on storage from Solar Batteries Sunshine Coast.

The photovoltaic effect

Photovoltaic arrays harness the sun’s energy through the photovoltaic effect, also known as the photoelectric effect.

When photons of light hit a semiconductor material (such as silicon or cadmium telluride), they excite electrons in that material to a higher energy level. When those excited electrons fall back to their original state, they release energy in the form of a photon—i.e., another photon of light travels away from the surface of the device. The more intense or concentrated light there is, and therefore more photons hitting your solar cells each second, means more electricity generated for your home or business.

What are solar cells?

Solar cells are the building blocks of solar panels. They use a semiconductor material to convert sunlight directly into electricity. The most common type of solar cell is made from silicon, which is found in sand and used to make computer chips and other electronic devices.

Solar cells are also known as photovoltaic (PV) cells, because they absorb photons from light waves and generate an electric voltage or current across its terminals.

Solar panel inverters

Inverters are the heart of a solar energy system. They convert DC power (the kind generated by your solar panels) into AC power (the kind that's used in homes).

That means they're connected to both the battery bank and your home's electrical system.

And when you have excess electricity from your solar array, it can be sent back to the grid through your inverter.

Conclusion

Solar panels are a great choice for anyone looking to make their home more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint. They may seem complicated, but once you understand how they work, it’s easy to see why this technology has been so popular for over 50 years. Solar cells have gone through many different iterations over time but today we have some really exciting new developments in the form of thin-film solar panels!