How do solar panels work?

Solar panels harness light particles from the sun to give us inexpensive, renewable energy. But, how do they do this? Let’s delve into how they work and how their effectiveness can be impacted.

When did we start utilising solar energy?

Solar technology was first introduced over 250 years ago, with the photovoltaic effect discovered in 1839. Then, in 1954, space technology began being powered by silicon PV cells, before they made their commercial debut. From 2010 onwards, the UK started exploring solar more with incentives from the government, and when compared to today’s prices, have dropped by 60% according to the National Grid. Finally, in 2019, both the UK and US hit a monumental milestone; coal was no longer the main source of energy, but zero carbon sources paved the way.

What’s the science behind solar panels?

Each panel is made up of photovoltaic cells that convert light into electrical energy that we can use in our homes. The photovoltaic cell is the sandwich of two semiconductor wafers (n-doped and p-doped). Photons from sunlight hit this cell, displacing and exciting the electrons within, which causes the electrons in the negative wafer to jump over to the positive wafer through tiny wires, filling the protons on the p-junction.

The resulting current is then taken to an inverter to be converted from DC to AC.

How do solar panels work on a house?

To power your house, a solar energy system comprises a few different elements. Here’s a summary of how they all work:

Solar Panels – These use sunlight to generate electricity. Most panels have 60 or 72 cells, but Wickes Solar uses 108 Half Cell Tier One panels for their efficiency and reliability.

Inverter – Converts the DC energy from the solar panels into AC energy, which your home can use. It’s essential for the system. Read our other article on solar inverters to learn more about what they do.

Electricity meter – Your existing electricity meter will stay in place to measure energy usage while connected to the grid.

Battery storage – Stores excess energy for later use. Advanced Lithium-Ion solar batteries are popular for their reliability and long life.

How do solar panels work with your electric bill?

All in all, solar panels help to lower your energy bills. By utilising the power generated from your panels, you’ll buy less from the utility. If you generate more electricity than you need, the extra can be sent back to the grid in exchange for credits that’ll allow you to use the excess energy later on, such as at night. Once you install solar panels, your installer will provide you with the next steps to take with your energy supplier so you can begin using your solar energy in no time.

How long do solar panels last?

At Wickes Solar, our warranty covers your panels for 30 years, but they can last for over 40. The biggest risk to solar panels comes from damage or degradation. In the UK, we expect solar panels to have a medium degradation rate of 0.5% per year, so it’s unlikely any problems will arise early. In fact, the panels will pay for themselves in just 5 years, meaning that you’re getting 20 years of free energy production before you need to shell out for any replacements. Find out more about how long solar panels last.

Do solar panels work in winter?

Yes, similar to cloudy days, solar panels generate electricity from light exposure, not heat. So, the colder temperatures won’t impact this generation. In fact, solar panels can work more efficiently in the cold as it helps electrons move more easily.

Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

It’s a common misconception that solar panels are useless on dark and overcast days, but it isn’t true. Light is made up of waves that come in different lengths and colours, and some of these easily pass through clouds to reach your solar panels. A clear day makes it easier for sunlight to reach the panels, but a cloudy day only limits their performance by about 10%. Clouds can even benefit your solar panels as rain is a fantastic natural cleaner. It washes away any dust or dirt that might block light from getting to where it needs to go, optimising your panels’ performance.

Can solar panels work at night?

Panels can’t generate electricity at night, which is why we recommend adding batteries to your solar panel system as they can store any electricity you haven’t used during the day. With advances in technology, batteries are increasing in efficiency while reducing in price, so most will easily run the house overnight, so long as you’re not turning on every appliance while the sun is down. Plus, having a battery in your system can reduce your carbon footprint by an average of 0.42 tons per year! You can also set up a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) with your energy supplier (more on this below).

Can solar panels work through glass?

Yes, but nowhere near as efficiently as when exposed to unobstructed, direct sunlight. Standard window glass can actually block and reflect a large portion of the light in which your solar panels need to generate electricity. Therefore, a panel behind glass will likely only produce a small amount of its usual output.

How do solar panels work with the grid?

With most homes only using half of the energy their solar panel system generates during the day, you have plenty leftover to use at night if you’ve got battery storage. To use up any remaining energy, you can make an agreement with your energy supplier called a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This allows you to sell them your excess electricity. These funds can pay for any extra energy you might need or they’ll go straight into the bank.

Different suppliers offer different rates, so we recommend doing your research to get the best deal. Wickes Solar is an established MCS-registered company, so we can help you sign up for an SEG with your energy supplier, providing all the necessary warranties and certifications for future resale.

How do I know if my solar panels are working?

Try checking your inverter or monitoring app for power production, comparing your utility bills to previous months, and visually checking your panels aren’t shaded or damaged. If you are still concerned they’re not generating, there could be an issue in which you should contact your solar provider about.

We hope we’ve answered your question of how solar panels work, and given you the confidence of their potential, even on the coldest of days. If you’re still contemplating whether solar is the right move for your household, check out our customer stories and, for a clearer view of costs, try our solar price estimator.