The cost of energy is on the rise. We all know that. Recent data published by the government show that the average family spends close to $162 per month. According to many scientists and environmental experts, one of the potential solutions to saving the planet from climate change is solar power. You must put up enough panels and capture enough sun’s rays to power our homes.
At SolarChat, we make it easy for you to save money on your home’s electricity bills using solar energy. This article should help you understand if you can save yourself some money if you buy or rent a solar system for use in your home.
How Does a Solar Panel Work?
A solar panel consists of many cells that are connected. These cells are coated with light-sensitive silicon, absorbing sunlight and turning it into energy. The silicon gets sandwiched between two layers of glass or plastic, which protect it from the elements.
Solar panels get mounted on rooftops or other areas where they can absorb as much sunlight as possible. To maximize their efficiency, they should be oriented to face south at 30 degrees or 45 degrees. It ensures that the panels receive the maximum direct sunlight during daylight hours. For reliable solar panels, visit Tampa solar installer website.
Steps on How Solar Panels Store Energy
Solar Panels Absorb Sunlight
Solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells. These photovoltaic cells absorb light from the sun and use that energy to produce electricity. Solar panels are made from silicon, which is a form of sand.
The Photovoltaic Effect Converts
The photovoltaic effect is how solar radiation gets converted into direct current electricity. It occurs when photons of light hit a semiconductor material and knock electrons loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to produce electricity.
Inverter Converts the DC into AC
As you know, solar panels generate DC (direct current). For you to use the power in your home, it must get converted into AC (alternating current); most devices use this electrical current. It is done using an inverter installed between the solar panels and your home’s electrical panel.
The Inverter does not store power; it changes the polarity of DC from positive to negative or vice versa so that it can be used by appliances that require alternating current.
AC flows from Inverters.
AC flows from the Inverter to your electrical panel. Electrical panels are normally at the top of a utility pole outside your home. Still, they can also be inside your home and connected to an electric meter (which measures how much electricity you use). The AC produced by solar panels fills up batteries and charges them with other renewable energy sources such as wind turbines.
Solar Charge Controller
The controller regulates the battery’s voltage, current, and temperature to avoid damage. The controller also keeps track of how much power the panels produce and how much the appliances use.
When more electricity is needed, the controller sends it back into the grid where other homes or businesses can use it. When there isn’t enough electricity, the controller uses power from the batteries to keep your home running smoothly.
The Battery Stores Electricity
The battery bank stores excess electricity for later use or when you need it most. Batteries of individual cells contain electrolytes, which store electrical energy as chemical potential energy and release it when needed (when the voltage and current are correct). In the case of a lead-acid battery, lead dioxide plates provide the electrolyte, and oxygen is released when they combine with water. These batteries are used in cars, boats, and homes because they can withstand deep discharges without damage (and even thrive on them).
How Long Do Solar Panels Store Energy?
 The amount of energy produced by a solar panel depends on the panel’s size, efficiency, and age; many new commercial installations can produce around 250 watts per panel. The amount of electricity generated by a solar panel depends on how much sunlight hits it, so the amount of electricity stored in your solar array will depend on how much sunlight you get where you live.
Solar panels produce more energy than is being used in your home plus. It’s hard to determine how much power you’re using and what kind. When this happens, you don’t get any money for your excess energy – instead, it’ll go back into the grid where it can get used by someone else. Still, you’ve saved yourself from purchasing another source of power. The real impact comes with a long-term investment in solar panels.
