Simply Solar: What Do Solar Panels Do?

Are you keeping up with the eco-friendly wave? Going green is all the rage, and it’s one trend that shouldn’t go anywhere anytime soon.

One of the best ways to go green is to start using solar energy. Have you considered adding solar panels to your house?

We all know what solar panels are, but what do solar panels do? How does solar power work anyway?

We want to explain so you can make an informed choice about your energy needs. Keep reading to learn more.

What Do Solar Panels Do?

Solar panels absorb sunlight to turn it into solar energy. Many people use solar panels for homes, but you can also put solar panels in wide-open spaces to generate a large amount of energy with unused land or even on top of commercial buildings.

The solar panel benefits include reduced energy costs, potential tax breaks, and an overall smaller carbon footprint.

Standard electricity uses fossil fuels. That means that it’s using a non-renewable resource. It also releases pollution into the air.

Solar energy uses the sun. Because the sun isn’t going anywhere (we hope), it’s a renewable resource. We don’t take anything from the sun when we use solar power.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

The science behind solar panels is complicated.

In short, solar panels use photovoltaic cells to absorb sunlight. Photovoltaic cells convert light into electricity. It starts as direct current energy and turns into alternating current energy.

Solar energy flows through your home just as standard energy would. When you have excess energy, it feeds into the power grid.

In many areas, excess energy that makes its way to the power grid can put more money into your pocket. You can also use credits from that excess power to help boost your energy on days where your panels aren’t as effective.

Solar panels have glass exteriors and insulation to protect the panels themselves from bad weather or other damage.

Can You Use Solar Power Where You Live?

Many people are worried that their homes don’t get enough sunlight for solar power to be effective.

It’s true that sunnier areas are better for solar panels. When the goal is to get as much sun as possible, better sun access makes sense. That said, even places that receive less sunlight (like the Pacific Northwest, for example) can still benefit from solar energy.

You may have trouble if you have too much tree coverage over your home. If you’re not sure, talk to professional solar installers. They may be able to help you determine whether or not solar energy is right for your home.

Solar Energy Is the Future

So what do solar panels do? They convert energy and light from the sun into usable electricity. They keep the world greener and save you money.

In the future, green energy will be the default. Why not get ahead of the game?

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