So, I hear you’re looking into solar panels but don’t know where to start. Well, you’re in the right place because, today, I’ll be going through all the basics.
This includes discussing how they work, its parts, the savings you could get, and everything between.
I urge you to read this from the top if you’re completely new to solar panels. But, if you’re looking for specific information, go ahead and tap on the topics below to head straight to their sections.
- How do solar panels work?
- The different parts of a solar system
- Solar batteries – Do I need them?
- Benefits of using solar power
- Your potential savings if you use solar panels
- Solar panel rebate – What is it?
- What system is best for my home?
- How much do solar panels cost?
How to choose a solar installer - The best solar panel brands for all budgets
- Financing
- So, you have solar panels. Now what?
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels work by gathering photons (light particles) from the sun and using that to generate electricity.
These photons knock electrons from their resting state which sends the electrons scrambling. This movement is what generates DC electricity that your system then converts to the AC electricity that you and I use for our appliances.
All this is possible because of the photovoltaic effect. If you’re looking to dig deeper into the science behind solar panels as well as the step-by-step process on how they work, here’s our in-depth explanation on how solar panels work.
Moving on, you might be asking:
Do solar panels work at night, in the shade, and when it’s snowing?
Given that solar panels depend on sunlight to work, your system can’t gather as much light in these conditions.
But, nighttime, cloudy, and snowy conditions don’t mean you can’t enjoy solar panels. After all, there are ways for you to store the solar energy that you generated when the sun was shining, but more on that later.
Moreover, these conditions are temporary, especially in sunny Australia. Night turns to day, the clouds move over, and the snow melts away pretty.