The United States recently reached 100 gigawatts of solar power capacity. That’s enough to go “back to the future” 82 times over if you own a Delorean.
If you factor in rising energy costs, easier solar accessibility, and the effects of climate change, it’s clear why so many people are going green.
If you’re considering a move to solar power, it’s important to learn how it works.
Here are some technology facts about how solar panels and what they can do for you.
Technology Facts on Photovoltaics
There are many parts to a solar power installation, but the key piece is the photovoltaic (PV) effect. This is the process that occurs when solar rays hit a PV cell and generate an electric current.
Materials like silicon make up PV cells. These PV cells are one of the primary ingredients in solar panels. When the cells absorb light, the electrons within are knocked loose.
PV cells have positively and negatively charged layers. The layers create a flow of electricity from the bouncing electrons. That flow of energy then runs through an inverter to become AC power.
This is how electricity is created from the sun.
Converting Light to Energy
A solar panel creates electricity, but you’ll need more than that to begin powering your home. The process often begins on the roof of a home, where most homeowners choose to install panels. Panels can gain the most hours of sunlight from the roof.
Once the power is created within the panel, it has to go somewhere. After it is inverted to AC electricity, it travels to the breaker box in the home. From there, you can power lights and appliances with the help of sustainable energy.
Chances are, during peak hours, you’ll generate more energy than you need. There are a couple of options for excess energy that is created.
It may be returned to the power grid, and you could get a financial credit from the energy company for the electricity. Otherwise, you may install a battery to store some of the excess energy.
Connecting the Dots
Solar panels are an easy choice to add renewable energy to your home. When you consider the various tax incentives and reduced energy bills, it is even more enticing to go green.
If you work with a company like Blue Raven Solar, an expert will walk you through the entire process. They’ll inspect your home to determine if it is a good candidate for solar panels, develop a design, and complete the installation.
Solar Power and Beyond
Once you’ve gotten your system set up, you can sit back and enjoy the energy created from a renewable resource. You’ll enjoy the feeling of combating climate change in the process.
Solar power isn’t the only way to go green, however. Looking to add more sustainable tech to your home? Be sure to check out our other articles for additional technology facts!
