A photovoltaic system consists of one or more solar panels, an inverter that converts DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity, and sometimes other components such as controllers, meters, and trackers. Most panels are in solar farms or rooftop solar panels which supply the electricity grid
Let’s look at how they work and whether they’re suitable for your home. When the sun shines on a solar panel, solar energy is absorbed by individual PV cells. These cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, most commonly silicon. The PV cells produce an electrical charge as they become energised by the sunlight.
Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. Multiple solar cells are connected and packed together in a frame to form a solar panel, and multiple solar panels are connected to form a solar array. Solar panels transform sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity, which passes through a safety DC switch.
Installing solar panels lets you use free, renewable, clean electricity to power your appliances. You can sell extra electricity to the grid or store it for later use. There are over 1.3 million installations on homes across the UK – see where the UK solar panel hotspots are.
The solar panel system and installer you choose should meet the standards of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). And make sure the installer is a member of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code or the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES).
The basis of producing most solar panels is mostly on the use of silicon cells. These silicon cells are typically 10–20% efficient at converting sunlight into electricity, with newer production models exceeding 22%.