How Do Solar Panels Work? Your Guide to Solar Panelling

Have you ever thought, “How do solar panels work?”

Installing solar panels is a great way of turning the abundant amount of sunshine we experience here in Australia into renewable energy for homes and businesses. 

Although it offers many benefits, choosing to use solar energy is a major decision, and getting the process right, including everything from purchasing panels to installation, is essential. 

In our handy guide, find out how solar panels generate electricity and why they help not only lower your energy bills, but also contribute to a cleaner, greener future for the planet.

What Are Solar Panels?

Consisting of solar cells, a solar panel is a device that converts the sun’s energy, known as solar energy, into electricity that can be used within our homes. A solar system is made up of multiple panels and should be installed on the roof by an expert solar panel installation service. 

Optimal energy production happens when solar panels are facing north, although this isn’t essential. They should also be installed without obstruction from trees or power lines, as this can cause your property to fall into shade and the panels may therefore not be exposed to enough sunlight.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels can generate electricity when the sun shines directly onto them, by turning its light into direct current (DC) electricity. The solar inverter within your system will then convert this DC electricity into 230V alternating current (AC) power, which can be fed into the grid and transmitted more effectively than DC across long distances.

As a sustainable alternative to the grid, this AC electricity is used as a renewable energy source through the switchboard to power dishwashers, fridges, TVs, and other home appliances. There are security cameras powered by solar power as well. 

Your property will take any energy generated from solar DC electricity first, before meeting any additional demand with electricity from the grid. Using a smart metre can help to measure your home’s electricity production and consumption to export any excess energy back into the network, especially during those sunny daylight hours.

This form of solar system is grid-connected, which is the most commonly used panel system in Australia. However, there are also two other popular types, including:

• Grid-connected with Battery Backup: Battery-powered backup systems are a great option as they store any energy generated during the day to power your property at night, while also continuing to operate during power outages.
• Stand Alone: Unlike other systems, stand-alone solar systems aren’t connected to the grid and often include batteries or generators powered by diesel or petrol to supplement your energy supply. They are usually installed in areas with low electricity demand or limited grid connection.

Types of Solar Panel Cells

As well as different types of solar systems or solar panel sizes, solar cells themselves come in several forms. When combined, these cells form a solar panel, and are made from one of the following materials:

Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline solar panels have curved corners and are made from cutting large, pure silicon crystals, resulting in a consistent blue or black colour.

These are the most efficient type of panel, which is why they’re often chosen for rooftop solar installations. However, they’re also the most expensive solar panels to purchase, since around 50% of the silicon used is wasted to produce just one monocrystalline.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline solar cells are formed by melting and pouring silicon crystals into one mould. Since there is less waste, they are cheaper to make and install than monocrystalline, while being slightly less space and energy-efficient due to their lower silicon purity.

Polycrystalline panels may also not work so well in hot and humid environments because of their lower heat tolerance, making them a less popular choice compared to monocrystalline.

Thin-Film

With thin-film panels, silicon is sprayed onto a surface to create fine, flexible layers. As well as being the cheapest panels to produce, thin-film panels are also light and easy to install, and are available in a variety of solar cell sizes to suit the unique needs of your property. 

However, they are the least efficient option compared to the other types of silicon solar panels.

Solar Photovoltaic Cells vs. Solar Thermal

The panels that we’ve explored so far are solar PV panels, or solar photovoltaic cells, which generate electricity as already explained. Solar thermal panels are another type of solar system that also uses the sun as their energy source – however, these panels instead produce heat.

Thermal systems are therefore more often used to power residential heating systems, including hot water or space heaters.

4 Key Benefits of Installing Solar Panels in Your Home

One in three Australian households, equivalent to over 3.6 million homes, now use solar power as their main energy source. This is thanks to the huge range of benefits that installing solar panels has to offer for our homes, from lowering energy bills to saving the planet.

#1 Combats Climate Change

Renewable energy sources like solar power offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels that are typically burnt to help power our homes and businesses.

Unlike other energy sources, we’ll never run out of solar power, meaning that it will be accessible for at least another 5 billion years.

#2 Promotes Energy Independence

Installing solar panels gives Australian homeowners and businesses the chance to generate their own energy, which is especially handy during a power outage. This is ideal particularly for those with battery backup systems, which store energy produced to ensure that your home has power regardless of the weather or time of day.

#3 Saves Money

Choosing a solar power system can also significantly reduce your energy bills, since you’ll require less energy from the electricity grid to power your home. They also require minimal maintenance, with the solar inverter being the only component that may need changing after 5 to 10 years of use.

If your home produces more electricity than you’re using, any excess will be fed back into the electricity grid. Some energy retailers compensate customers for this energy with a feed-in tariff, alongside government programmes such as the Sustainable Household Scheme to help with the upfront costs of solar power systems.

#4 Boosts Home Value

Solar panels are often considered to be home upgrades thanks to their energy-efficient features, which potential buyers will pay more for if they are installed within your property, provided your home has undergone Electrical Safety Compliance and Testing.

In fact, one survey found that 77% of Australians believe that homes with solar panels are more valuable than those without.

Volteam Electric’s Solar Power System Solutions

At Volteam, our solar installers in Banyo provide solar panels for both residential and commercial properties in Brisbane, Queensland, with a variety of plans tailored to your property’s size, energy consumption, and budget. This includes everything from 5kW Jinko panels starting from as little as $5.73 per day, all the way up to 99.55 kW Canadian solar panels for businesses.

We also offer flexible finance arrangements, including zero upfront deposit and interest-free payment plans, plus a 30-day competitor price-beat guarantee. 

Our installation team is fully licensed, insured, and CEC-Accredited, providing you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your solar needs are in capable hands. Let us help you power up your home with solar panel systems today and enjoy unbeatable quality-price ratios, plus comprehensive pre-and post-sales support.

Book a solar panel consultation today by calling our expert team at 1300 865 832, or request a quote on the Volteam website and we’ll get back to you ASAP.