Understanding How Solar Panels Work
In a time when the world is striving to incorporate sustainable energy solutions, solar panels are
a great way to reduce your energy bills and help the environment. The benefits of solar panels
are numerous and compelling.
In addition to reducing your energy bills, solar panels can help you reduce your environmental
impact. They generate clean, renewable energy that doesn’t produce greenhouse gas
emissions, and they require no fossil fuels to operate. Solar panels also help promote energy
independence and security by reducing our reliance on foreign oil.
Installing solar panels can also increase the value of your home or business. Homes with solar
panels typically sell for more than homes without them, and businesses that install solar
systems can often qualify for tax credits and other financial incentives.
With the solar industry booming more than ever, it’s worth breaking down the basics of how
solar panels work, so you can understand what benefits they could bring to your property.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Step #1: The Sunlight Hits the Solar Panels
The solar panels are made up of small cells that contain a photovoltaic material. When the sun’s
rays hit the cells, they knock electrons free from the atoms in the photovoltaic material. These
electrons flow through an external circuit to create electricity.
Step #2: The Solar Cells Create an Electrical Current
The solar cells in a solar panel convert the sunlight into electrical energy. The cells are made of
silicon, which is a type of semiconductor. When sunlight shines on the silicon, it creates an
electric current. This current is then collected by the wires in the solar panel and sent to an
inverter, which converts it into usable AC electricity that can be used in your home.
Step #3: Electricity is Converted from DC to AC Using an Inverter
Now that the sunlight has been converted into electrical energy by the solar panels, it is ready to
be used in your home. The next step is to convert the direct current (DC) electricity into
alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what our homes use. This process is done with an
inverter.
The inverter takes the DC electricity from the solar panels and converts it into AC voltage that
can be used in your home. It does this by converting the DC power to a frequency that matches
the AC power in your home. This means that you can use regular household appliances with
solar energy without having to worry about compatibility issues.
Step #4: Power Up Your Home
Your home’s main electrical panel distributes this energy throughout your house as needed.
Appliances and lights then use this electricity to power up and function normally. When you’re
not using any appliances or lights, your solar panels continue to produce electricity that’s stored
in your home’s battery bank for later use.
The Bottom Line: Understanding the Basics of How Solar Panel Works can Help Your
Make the Most of Your Journey to Sustainable Energy
Solar energy is one of the most promising sources of renewable energy available today. Not
only is it a reliable and sustainable resource, but it’s also becoming more and more affordable
as technology improves. If you’re interested in making the switch to solar power, it’s important to
understand how solar panels work and how they can be used to power your home or business.
Are You Looking for More Solar Solutions for Your Home?
At ARC Energy Solutions., we believe that solar power is the future of energy, and we are dedicated to
helping homeowners make the most of this renewable source. If you’re interested in learning
more about solar power and how it can benefit your home, please contact us today. We would
be happy to discuss your options and help you start making the switch to solar.
