How Do Solar Panels Work?

The cost of energy has grown exponentially over recent years, and more and more homeowners are looking for ways to save money. The use of non-renewable energy sources is bad for your wallet and the planet, too. With a solar panel installation, homeowners can cut energy costs and lower their carbon footprint at the same time. 

Choosing to upgrade your home with a solar panel installation is a wise investment, but do you know exactly how solar panels work? 

Here at Jewel Renewables, we supply and install renewable energy products in Surrey and Hampshire, including cutting-edge solar panels. In this article, our experts are sharing everything you need to know about solar panels and how they generate energy for your home.  

What are Solar Panels?

If you are considering an installation, we are guessing that you already know what solar panels are! Just in case you don’t, let’s quickly go over the basics. 

Solar panels are devices installed on a property’s roof. They collect energy from the sun’s rays and convert it into usable electricity for your home. Solar panels are made up of layers of photovoltaic cells separated by a layer of semiconducting material. The PV cells and the rest of the solar panel components are secured together into an aluminium framework, and the system is installed on a home’s roof. 

A solar inverter is also needed for solar panels to create energy for your home. This vital component is usually included in the price of the solar panel system and installed at the same time. Solar inverters play a vital role in converting direct electrical current into alternating current—more on this later!  

The number of solar panels you need will depend on the size of your property and your energy needs. The average number of solar panels needed for a one-bedroom property is 6. If you live in a larger home, more panels will be needed. For example, a three-bedroom house requires an average of 10 solar panels to generate enough energy.  

How Do Solar Panels Work?

So, how do solar panels work exactly? 

Solar panels feature PV cells in their structure and these are used to absorb sunlight and generate a direct current of electricity. Between the PV cells is a layer of semiconducting material (usually silicon), which releases electrons and produces an electrical charge when exposed to sunlight. 

During daylight hours, a solar panel’s PV cells generate a direct electrical current (DC). This energy runs through the wires in the solar panel system and travels through the solar inverter. Once the flow of DC electricity reaches the inverter, it is converted into an alternating current (AC).

After the alternating electrical current has been generated, it is now possible to run your household appliances using clean solar energy. Solar panels allow homeowners to power their property using sustainable and green energy. If your solar panels make a surplus of electricity, the excess energy can be sold to the National Grid or stored for later use. 

Are Solar Batteries Worth It?

While solar panels work best when there is plenty of sunlight available, modern PV solar panels can also generate power on dull and dreary days. Here at Jewel Renewables, we install highly efficient solar panel systems capable of achieving high energy yields in all weather conditions.  

It is true that there have been many advancements in solar energy technology over the years, but it is still impossible to create solar energy at night. Fortunately, homeowners can overcome this issue by using a solar energy storage system. With a solar battery, extra solar energy can be stored and used during the evening and overnight. At Jewel, we provide homeowners with Pylontec 4.8kw, GivEnergy 5.2kw and Fox 4.7kw solar batteries. 

If you want to say goodbye to expensive electricity and significantly reduce your carbon footprint, combining a solar panel installation with a solar storage battery is the perfect solution! 

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with Jewel Renewables 

At Jewel Renewables, we help homes across Surrey to become more environmentally friendly. We support homeowners to ‘go green’ by installing a range of renewable energy products. 

Generate sustainable energy for your home by investing in our high yield solar panels, which features highly efficient inverters from Solis, GivEnergy & Fox . If you want to take your green lifestyle to the next level, we also provide cutting-edge solar batteries. With a state-of-the-art solar battery, you can store excess energy to use after sunset. 

By combining a Jewel Renewables solar panel installation and solar storage battery, you can power your home off the Grid and enjoy clean energy all day, every day. 

To learn more about our renewable energy products, you can get in touch with our expert team by calling 01252 939 587. You can also reach us by filling in our online contact form. We look forward to helping you go green in 2024.