Solar & Battery
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Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular way for homeowners to generate clean, renewable electricity and reduce their reliance on the grid. But how exactly do they turn sunlight into usable power?
As a leading provider of solar systems for homeowners, business leaders and property developers across Surrey and beyond, Titan Eco is ideally placed to explain how solar panels work. In this guide, we’ll break down the process in simple terms and explore the key components involved, so you can understand what happens on your roof and how solar power can benefit you.
What is solar energy?
Solar energy is the energy produced by the sun. Every day, the sun releases an enormous amount of energy in the form of light and heat. Solar technologies, including solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, allow us to capture some of this energy and convert it into a useful form of power.
Unlike fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, solar energy is renewable, meaning it is naturally replenished and will never run out. Generating electricity from sunlight also produces no direct carbon emissions during operation, making solar PV an important technology in the transition towards a lower-carbon future.
Solar energy can be used in several ways. Solar panel systems generate electricity, while solar thermal technologies use the sun’s heat for applications such as heating water. For homeowners, property developers and business owners, solar PV, which Titan Eco offers, is particularly useful because it can generate electricity directly where it is needed.
The amount of solar energy that solar panels produce varies depending on factors such as the time of day, season, weather conditions and location. However, solar panels can still generate electricity in overcast conditions because they can make use of diffuse sunlight, although their output is generally lower than on a bright, sunny day.
So, by installing solar panels, homeowners and property managers can generate renewable electricity, potentially reduce the amount of electricity required from the grid and make greater use of a naturally available energy source.
How solar panels work: the photovoltaic effect
Solar panels generate electricity by converting sunlight into direct current (DC), which is then passed through an inverter to create alternating current (AC) for use in your home or business.
Most modern systems use solar PV (photovoltaic) panels, which contain layers of energy-conducting material that generate an electric field when exposed to sunlight, in a process known as the photoelectric effect.
The photovoltaic effect is what makes solar power possible and allows your solar array to produce electricity, allowing your roof to turn freely available sunlight into useful, renewable energy.
In simple terms, solar cells within the panels absorb energy from sunlight and convert it into electrical energy that can be used in your home.
The photovoltaic effect produces the current that can power your property, be stored in your solar battery system or exported to the National Grid. So, surplus electricity won’t be wasted, and you can make the most of your solar cell efficiency and any excess energy produced by your solar panels.
What are solar panels made from?
Solar panels are made up of several layers and components, each with an important role in converting sunlight into electricity and protecting the panel from the elements. While the exact materials can vary between manufacturers and panel types, most modern solar panels use a similar construction, which we’ve outlined below.
Silicon solar cells
At the heart of a solar panel are its photovoltaic (PV) cells. These are usually made from silicon, a semiconductor that is particularly well-suited to converting sunlight into electricity.
The silicon is formed into wafers and treated to create the electrical properties needed for the photovoltaic effect. Multiple cells are connected together within each panel, allowing them to work collectively to produce a useful amount of electricity.
Protective glass
The front of a solar panel is covered by a layer of toughened, tempered glass. This protects the delicate solar cells from rain, wind, hail, dust and other environmental conditions while allowing sunlight to pass through to the cells.
The glass is designed to be highly durable and is often treated with an anti-reflective coating to help maximise the amount of sunlight reaching the photovoltaic cells.
Encapsulant layers
Solar cells are enclosed between layers of a protective material known as an encapsulant, which are commonly made from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). These layers help hold the cells in position and protect them from moisture, humidity and mechanical stress.
Rear glass
Behind the solar cells is either a protective back sheet or, in some modern panels, a second layer of glass. The rear layer provides additional protection and helps insulate the electrical components inside the panel. Panels with glass on both sides are often referred to as glass-glass panels.
Aluminium frame
Most solar panels have a lightweight but strong aluminium frame around their edges. The frame provides structural support, protects the panel’s edges and allows it to be securely attached to a mounting system on a roof or another suitable surface.
Junction box and wiring
On the back of the panel is a junction box, which contains electrical connections and bypass diodes. These components help manage the flow of electricity and can reduce the impact of partial shading on the panel’s performance. Cables and connectors then allow electricity to travel from the panels to the rest of the solar PV system.
Together, these components create a solar panel that is designed to be durable, weather-resistant and capable of transforming the sun’s energy into usable electricity reliably for many years.
Learn more about how solar panels could benefit you
Ultimately, solar panels provide a practical way to generate renewable electricity using energy from the sun. By converting sunlight into electricity that can be used in your home or business premises, a solar PV system can help you make use of renewable energy and reduce your reliance on electricity from the grid. The most beneficial and exciting benefit of solar panels is that you can reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint.
The full benefits of solar panels can vary depending on your property, energy usage, roof characteristics and the solar panel system you choose. Factors such as panel orientation, shading and whether you add solar batteries can all influence how much solar output your system can generate and use.
If you’re considering solar panels and solar batteries for your home, the next step is to understand what could work for your property. Titan Eco can help you explore your options and find out whether solar could be a suitable investment for your home.
Alongside traditional solar panels, Titan Eco also offers SolaFence panels to replace standard fence panels and generate electricity without taking up space on your roof.
Titan Eco offers SolaSkirt, providing protection from nuisance birds, such as pigeons, which often nest underneath the gap between the panel edge and the roof. SolaSkirt is an innovative solution that not only keeps pigeons from nesting under your panels but also gives a sleek finish to your panels.
To find out more about our solar panel systems and how we can create the perfect array that meets your needs, contact us on 0333 444 2136 or by emailing info@titaneco.co.uk.
