Solar electricity panels, also known as Solar Photovoltaics (PV for short), use the energy from the sun to produce electricity that you can use within your home in the same way that solar calculators have for many years.
How do solar panels work?
When ultraviolet light shines on the cells within your solar PV panels, a flow of electricity is created by the layers of semi-conductors that makes up each cell. These semi-conductors are commonly made from silicon which gives solar PV its distinctive dark blue to black colour.
The radiation collected generates DC (direct current) energy, the same as that stored in batteries.
An inverter then converts this into usable AC (alternating current) electricity that can then be used in your home.
Any energy that is not used can be sent back to the grid or diverted to either batteries or Solar Electric Storage heaters for use at a more convenient time.
The panels don’t actually need direct sunlight to work meaning that they can produce electricity on even the most overcast of days. They work best, and produce the most electricity, when they are facing directly south, however, they work well one West and East facing roofs as well.
