How Do Solar Panels Work?
Solar panels harness energy from sunlight to provide clean, renewable electricity for your home.
Each solar panel is composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into electrical energy. These PV cells are made from two layers of semiconductors—n-doped and p-doped silicon wafers. When sunlight hits the PV cells, photons excite the electrons in the negative layer, causing them to flow toward the positive layer. This flow of electrons generates a direct current (DC), which is then passed through tiny wires to create usable energy.
The energy produced is fed into an inverter, which converts the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), making it compatible with the appliances and systems in your home.
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How Does a Solar Energy System Work?
A complete solar energy system includes several components working together to generate and store electricity efficiently.
Here’s a quick overview:
- Solar Panels: These capture sunlight to generate electricity. Most solar panels contain 60 to 72 cells, but Infinity Renewables installs high-efficiency panels with advanced half-cell technology for improved performance and reliability.
- Inverter: Converts the DC electricity from the solar panels into AC electricity, which is used to power your home.
- Electricity Meter: Your existing meter monitors your energy usage while you remain connected to the grid.
- Battery Storage: Stores excess energy generated during the day for use at night or on cloudy days. Modern lithium-ion batteries are favored for their durability and long life.
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How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
At Infinity Renewables, our premium solar panels are built to last. Backed by a 25-year warranty, our systems are designed to provide decades of reliable energy. With a typical degradation rate of only 0.5% per year, solar panels remain highly efficient for up to 40 years or more.
Most systems pay for themselves within 5–7 years, allowing you to enjoy decades of free energy while reducing your energy bills and environmental impact.
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Do Solar Panels Work in Winter and on Cloudy Days?
One of the most common myths about solar panels is that they only work in bright sunlight. In reality, solar panels continue to generate electricity on overcast days, as different wavelengths of light can penetrate through clouds. While cloudy weather may reduce performance slightly, the panels still operate at 90% efficiency compared to sunny days.
Additionally, rain provides a natural cleaning mechanism for your panels, washing away dirt and debris to keep them performing optimally.
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Do Solar Panels Work at Night?
Solar panels require sunlight to generate electricity, so they don’t produce power at night. However, with the addition of battery storage, you can store excess energy generated during the day to power your home after the sun sets.
Modern batteries are becoming more efficient and affordable, making it easy to run essential appliances overnight. Adding a battery system to your solar setup can also help reduce your carbon footprint by approximately 0.42 tons per year.
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How Do Solar Panels Work with the Grid?
Most homes with solar panels generate more electricity during the day than they consume. With battery storage, this excess energy can be saved for later use. However, if your batteries are fully charged, you can still make the most of your surplus energy through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
The SEG allows you to sell your unused electricity back to the grid. This not only helps you offset any energy costs but also provides an additional income stream. Infinity Renewables is an MCS-registered installer, providing all the necessary certifications to help you set up an SEG agreement with your energy supplier.
By optimizing your solar energy system with Infinity Renewables, you can maximize your energy savings and take full advantage of your renewable energy investment.
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For more information about how solar panels work or to explore your renewable energy options, contact Infinity Renewables today!
