How Solar Panels Work

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made of semiconductors such as silicon and they convert sunlight directly into electricity.

A module is a group of cells connected electrically and

packaged into a frame, commonly referred to as a solar panel.

Light strikes the cell and a certain portion of its energy is absorbed within the semiconductor material, knocking electrons loose, allowing them to flow.

By placing metal contacts on the top and bottom of the PV cell, we

can draw that flow of current off for external use. This current, along

with the cell's voltage (a result of its built-in electric field or fields),

defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can produce.

Silicon is a very shiny material, which can send photons bouncing away

before they've done their job, so an antireflective

coating is applied to reduce those losses. A

glass cover plate protects the PV cells

from the elements.

Not every roof has the correct orientation to take full advantage of the sun's energy. Solar panels should ideally point toward true south, although easterly and westerly directions can work too.

Most residential homes with solar panels are connected to their local utility grid. This allows you

to buy power when you need it and sell it back when you produce more than you use.

Government regulations vary by state and city. Your local utility company may or

may not allow your solar panels

to connect to their grid. And buyback prices

can vary greatly.

Reputable solar panel installers like Verengo Solar utilize

special equipment to make sure the power you're looking to sell the utility company is compatible with their own.

There are lots of factors involved in determining whether installing a solar system is worth the price.

For example, in a solar panel, if even just one of its cells is shaded, power

production can be significantly reduced.

Source: Clean Power Research

Source: Clean Power Research

Source: Clean Power Research

Source: Clean Power Research

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