You already know that switching from the standard electric company to solar power is great for the environment and your wallet. This can present huge cost savings over traditional forms of energy, but how does it actually work? Understanding the ins and outs of solar energy is essential to help you make the right decision for your home.
If you’re considering making the switch, here’s what you need to know about how solar power works:
The basics of photovoltaic panels
Photovoltaic (PV) panels are most commonly used to create solar power and can be installed on a home. These panels are what most people know when they think of clean energy sources and lowering their electric bill month after month. Here’s how it works:
Essentially, the process of making solar energy is quite simple to understand. The sun is the source of the solar radiation received by the photovoltaic panels. When sunlight hits the silicon layer on top of the solar panel, the atom’s electrons are released from the atom itself.
The panels then convert this solar radiation or electromagnetic radiation into free energy that can power your home and save you money on your electricity bills. As the electrons move, the PV panel begins to produce an electric current called direct current or DC.
The wiring picks up this direct current and transfers it to an inverter where it is transformed into alternating current (AC). This alternating current is the type of power used by standard household electrical outlets, giving you the electricity you need.
In short, the cells of photovoltaic panels absorb sunlight and transform it into energy. The energy transforms into an electrical charge which provides electricity for your use.
Can you get solar power on a cloudy day?
The amount of energy you can generate depends on the amount of sunlight received by your photovoltaic panels. However, they can still produce this energy for your home even on cloudy days. They only need some measurement of daylight to be able to tap into the free and clean source of energy provided by your solar system.
Keep in mind that your actual production may vary depending on the area covered by your solar panels, their number and the location of these panels in the house. Direct sunlight is the most efficient way to generate solar energy, although any type of daylight will still create some energy.
Solar power generation
Are you ready to tap into the incredible power of the sun to run your home more efficiently? Save money on your monthly bills by switching to solar power. SRB Energy is ready to help you make the transition to a photovoltaic panel system. Be sure to call us today to see how we can help you!