How does a solar system work step by step

How does solar energy work?

Embracing solar power means reducing our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. We'll look at the step-by-step process of how solar energy works below. Solar Energy Conversion Process: Solar panels harness sunlight and initiate a process where electrons get excited and move, creating electrical energy.

How do solar panels create a usable electricity system?

Here's how solar arrays create a usable electricity system for your home: As we've explained, the solar cells that make up each solar panel do most of the heavy lifting. Through the photovoltaic effect, your solar panels produce a one-directional electrical current, called direct current (DC) electricity.

How does a solar PV system work?

Efficient Solar Generation: Your solar PV system works hard. With net metering, you make the most of every bit of sunlight converted into usable electricity. Supporting Traditional Power: On cloudy days when solar generation might be low, you can pull energy from the grid. It's a two-way street.

What is a solar cell & how does it work?

A solar cell: Also known as a photovoltaic (PV) cell, is a remarkable device that captures sunlight and directly converts it into electricity. Made from semiconductor materials like silicon, these cells use the power of light particles to generate electrical current, offering a clean and sustainable energy source.

How does a home solar system work?

However, home solar systems typically generate excess electricity during the day, which can be stored in batteries or sent to the local grid in exchange for net metering credits. This is how solar owners maintain power when the sun isn’t shining.

How do solar panels turn sunlight into electricity?

The photovoltaic effect explained Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic (PV) effect, which is why they’re often referred to as PV panels. The photovoltaic effect occurs when photons from the sun’s rays hit the semiconductive material (typically silicon) in the cell of the solar module.