How Do Solar Panels Work

A battery is advisable to store excess electricity for times when there is no sun shining such as cloudy days or after dark.

The best position for a solar panel is on a south facing roof with no obstructions to block out the sun. Even if just a few cells are blocked by overhanging trees or other obstacles it will greatly reduce it's effectiveness. You may need to cut back a few branches off very tall trees.

The changing seasons mean that the sun's path will alter and you will need to adjust the position of the panels so that they are pointing at the sun. You can use rotating mounts to do this automatically so that the sun is always shining directly onto the face of the panel.

The idea of using solar energy isn't new, and back in the 1950s a discovery was made at Bell Telephone. It was found that when exposed to sunlight, silicon creates an electrical charge. As a result solar cells were created and made up into panels.

Before deciding to install solar panels you must first consider your location. Do you live in an area that gets constant sunshine all year round, or are you in a region that's cooler with lots of cloudy days. Solar panels will still work even if it's cloudy but not as efficiently, so you won't be able to rely on it as a main source of electricity You will still make significant savings on your electricity bill though, but not as much.

Depending on how many solar panels you install on your roof, and the amount of sunshine you get will determine the amount of electricity you generate. You can sell excess electricity back to your your power company, but store enough in your battery for when you may need it.

Learn how to make your own solar panels and save yourself hundreds of dollars. If you prefer to buy your solar panels then make sure you do some research to get a good price.

Most of us have seen those flat panels that look like a grid on roofs. They are used to collect solar energy and convert it into electricity, but how do they work?

Each solar panel is made up of a collection of solar cells joined together, also known as photovoltaic or light energy. Sunlight hits the solar cells which absorb the energy.

This energy is then passed through metal contacts into the power grid.

How Do Solar Panels Work?