A Guide to how Solar Panels Work

Here is a guide to show you how solar pv work. Solar panels use FREE energy from the sun to generate electricity. Solar panels do not need brilliant sunshine to generate electricity, it can generate electricity when it is cloudy or even in winter months. The solar panels can help reduce your electricity bills by reducing the electricity you need from your supplier. In addition to this you can benefit from getting cashback through the new Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) announced in April 2010. You get paid for the electricity you generate whether or not you use it!

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A solar panel is made of photovoltaic cells also called solar cells. These cells are made from a semiconductor such as silicon so that:

• When light strikes the cell an electric field is created and collected as a direct electric current – or DC electricity.
• Within a single Solar Panel there are many cells connected together in series.
• How much electricity is produced by the panel depends on how much light strikes it and how many cells it is contains.

Solar panels are connected together and then wired to a device called an inverter. The DC current produced by the panels is changed to alternating current (AC) by the inverter and then passed into your home for you to use. The electricity you do not use is automatically passed into the National Electricity Grid, giving you a return on your investment.

If you would like further details on how solar panels work please contact our office and speak to an expert, you can email us or telephone 01743 719906 and we will aim to answer all of your questions about how solar panels work and the benefits of having solar power installed.