How Do Solar Panels Use Energy

The solar panels convert solar energy into useful electricity.

How do solar panels use energy.

Every light switch you flick and outlet you use is running off of ac current. How does it work. Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity. This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays.

Step by step overview. Here s how solar panels absorb and store energy. 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. In such cases homeowners pair their solar panels with battery storage to create an off grid solar system.

Solar panels are built with materials that physically interact with certain wavelengths of solar energy. Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units. Some people use solar energy to meet all their power needs.

This entire energy conversion process from the panel to your house s outlets is known as the photovoltaic effect. Ac energy then flows through the home s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly. The solar energy is generated when sunrays fall on the solar panels. The sun s energy is expressed in different ways depending on what materials it interacts with.

When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect. This is either because they re seeking an off grid lifestyle or because grid connections are either unavailable or expensive to connect to often the case in remote areas.