How Does Solar Work? Harnessing the Power of the Sun

Solar power might seem like magic, but it's actually based on well-understood scientific principles. This lesson will break down the process of how your roof can become a mini power plant, converting sunlight into electricity for your home.

The Sun: Our Star Powerhouse

The sun is a giant ball of energy, constantly emitting light and heat. This energy, in the form of photons, travels through space and reaches the Earth. Solar panels are designed to capture these photons and convert them into usable electricity.

Solar Panels: Capturing the Light

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, are made up of many individual solar cells. These cells are typically made from silicon, a semiconductor material. When sunlight strikes a solar cell, the photons transfer their energy to the electrons in the silicon atoms.

The Photovoltaic Effect: Turning Light into Electricity

This transfer of energy causes the electrons to become excited and break free from their atoms. They then start to flow, creating an electric current. This process is called the photovoltaic effect. It's the heart of how solar panels generate electricity.

From Panel to Power: The Journey of Electricity

The electricity generated by a single solar cell is quite small. That's why solar panels contain many cells connected together. The panels then produce direct current (DC) electricity. This DC electricity needs to be converted into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the type of electricity used in most homes.

Inverters: Converting DC to AC

This is where inverters come in. An inverter is a device that converts the DC electricity from the solar panels into AC electricity. The AC electricity can then be used to power your lights, appliances, and everything else in your home. String inverters take all the DC electricity from all the solar panels and converts it to AC electricity at one central location. Micro inverters are located on the back of each solar panel and convert the panel's DC electricity to AC electricity right at the panel. There is one micro inverter for every solar panel in the solar system.

Connecting to the Grid: Your Energy Options

Once the electricity is converted to AC, it can be used in a few different ways:

• Grid-Tied Systems: Most residential solar systems are grid-tied. This means that your solar panels are connected to the utility grid. At night or on cloudy days, when your solar panels aren't producing enough electricity, you can draw power from the grid.
• Off-Grid Systems: Off-grid systems are not connected to the utility grid. They rely on batteries to store the electricity generated by the solar panels. Off-grid systems are typically used in remote locations where grid access is not available. Off-grid systems generally are not allowed if a grid-tied option is available.
• Hybrid Systems: Hybrid systems combine solar panels, battery storage, and grid connectivity. They offer the benefits of both grid-tied and off-grid systems.

Monitoring Your System: Keeping an Eye on Your Energy

Most solar systems come with monitoring systems that allow you to track your energy production. These systems can show you how much electricity your solar panels are generating, how much energy you're using, and how much you're saving on your electricity bill. If you have batteries installed, your battery app will allow you to monitor battery levels, switch on and off high-consuming appliances, and more.

Summary

Solar power works by capturing the energy from sunlight and converting it into electricity. Solar panels, made up of many solar cells, capture photons from the sun. The photovoltaic effect causes electrons to flow, creating DC electricity. Inverters then convert this DC electricity into AC electricity, which can be used to power your home.