All You Need to Know About Solar Panels
Solar power is one of the most common forms of green energy. Solar power is usually generated by solar panels that tap the energy of the sun. The benefits of solar energy range from affordability to being environmentally friendly. If you are interested in using solar power, you must understand how it is generated. Here is a brief guide on how solar panels work.
Converting Sunlight into Electricity
A solar panel consists of layers of silicon cells, a glass casing, a metal frame, and wiring to allow current to move from the cells to electrical appliances. Silicon has conductive properties to enable it absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. When sunlight reacts with a silicon cell, the electrons are excited and this triggers a flow of electricity. This is called the photovoltaic effect.
The PV phenomenon was first discovered by Edmond Becquerel in 1839 and describes how semiconductors generate electricity when they come in contact with sunlight. When sunlight hits solar panels, the PV cells produce a direct current. Direct current cannot produce electricity; it must be converted for the house and office appliances to function. Solar panels have an inverter for converting direct current into alternating current.
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Solar Panels and Grid Connections
If your home or office is connected to an electrical grid, you will have a utility meter provided by your energy supplier to measure your power consumption. When installing solar panels, you need to connect them to the utility meter. The energy consumption of your solar system is regulated by this meter.
Many people decline from switching to solar energy because they wonder what to do at night or when there is bad weather. Net metering is a concept that allows you to tap into your grid’s electrical energy if solar energy is not enough to supply your power requirements. With net metering, you can send excess power generated by your solar panels to the grid. As a result, you get credits on your electricity bill. During hours when your solar panels are making low amounts of electricity, you can draw energy from the grid and satisfy your office or household electricity demands.
Summing It Up
Solar energy comes with numerous benefits for both homeowners and businesses. The science behind solar power is the silicon cells contained in the solar panels. These cells absorb sunlight and turn it into electricity with the help of a converter. Make sure you ask your panel provider about net metering to ensure you get the most out of solar power. Ultimately, solar power is the future of free, green, renewable energy, and it would be smart for you to join the solar panel revolution.