Solar panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), harness the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity for use in your home.
By installing solar panels, you can generate free, renewable, and low-carbon electricity. You also have the option to sell surplus electricity back to the grid or store it for later use.
According to the low-carbon certification organization MCS, there were over 183,000 solar panel installations across the UK in 2023. This marks a one-third increase from 2022, highlighting the growing popularity of solar technology.
Amidst fluctuating energy costs, now is an excellent time to take advantage of the free, renewable energy that solar panels offer.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
When the sun shines on a solar panel, solar energy is absorbed by individual photovoltaic (PV) cells within the panel. These cells are typically made from layers of semiconducting material, most commonly silicon.
As the PV cells absorb sunlight, they become energized and produce an electrical charge, creating direct current (DC) electricity. This DC electricity then passes through an inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC) electricity—the type needed to power household appliances.
Solar panels do not require direct sunlight to function and can still generate electricity on cloudy days. However, stronger sunlight results in the production of more electricity.
A typical solar panel system consists of between six and twelve panels, with each panel generating approximately 400 to 450 watts of energy in strong sunlight.