Answers to Basic Questions About Solar Panels

Are you looking for simple answers to basic questions about solar panels? These are some of the most frequently asked questions about solar PV systems, and simple answers that anyone can understand.

What are Solar Cells?

Solar cells are the smallest element in a solar PV system. They are made of silicon or another substance that conducts electricity. The silicon is treated to generate a flow of electricity when light shines on it. Solar arrays or solar panels are multiple solar cells arranged into a single panel.

Do Solar Cells Store Energy?

No, they just convert sunlight into electrical current. The electricity generated must be used immediately or stored in batteries to use later.

Does That Mean I Won’t Have Electricity at Night or on Cloudy Days?

Your solar panels won’t generate electricity at night, but you’ll still have power. Most solar PV systems installed in the UK are grid-tied systems – that is, they are connected to the national grid. In a grid-tied system, your home will draw electricity from your solar panels when it is available. When your solar panels are not generating electricity or not generating enough electricity, your home will draw power from the conventional electric grid.

What if My Solar Panels Make More Electricity Than I Use?

In a grid-tied solar PV system, any electricity that you don’t use will be exported to the national grid. If you are participating in the Feed-in Tariff scheme for which most small solar PV systems qualify, you will receive a payment for every kilowatt hour that your solar panels produce, whether you use it or export it to the grid. You’ll receive an additional amount on top of the base payment for electricity that you export to the grid.

How Much Electricity Will My Solar PV System Generate?

The amount of electricity generated by your solar panels depends on many factors, including your geographic location, the positioning of the panels, the weather and light conditions and the size and type of solar PV system you install. The Department of Energy and Climate Change estimates that solar panels installed on most homes in the UK have the capacity to generate up to 50 percent of your annual electricity use.

Weather Conditions? How Well Will My Solar Panels Work on a Cloudy Day?

Solar panels are most efficient with bright, sunny weather. If the sky is lightly overcast, your solar PV system might produce half the amount of electricity, while on a dark, overcast day you might only get about ten percent of electricity you’ll get on a clear, sunny day.

Solar panels provide electricity without any harmful carbon or other side effects to the environment. Solar PV systems are silent, easy to maintain and generate electricity as long as there is daylight. If you have other questions about solar panels, talk to a solar installer in your region to get more specific information about solar power in your area.