In 2020, the United States increased its use of solar energy by 22 percent. Thus, solar energy represented eleven percent of all renewable energy consumption.

This year, state and federal governments continue to offer residents incentives and rebates for installing solar panels. So it’s no surprise that many residential and commercial businesses are making the switch! 

Still, some people have concerns about depending on solar energy, especially during the night time or cloudy days. 

So how do solar panels work? And do solar panels work at night? If you’d like to learn the answers to these questions, keep reading! 

Solar Panels- How Do They Work?

Most people know that solar panels convert the sun’s rays into power. Yet, understanding the science behind this process is key to clearing up common misconceptions surrounding the use of solar panels. 

Solar panels are composed of solar cells, which are usually crystalline silicon and contain components like boron and phosphorus. Furthermore, they contain two separate parts- one packed with positive electrons and another with negative electrons. 

When the sun’s rays hit the solar cell, photons transfer electrons from the part with a greater negative charge to the area where it lacks, resulting in an electrical current. Thus, the more electrons the photons release, the more energy the solar cell generates. 

Not all the electrons are used up, so they return to the negative panel to later be used to generate more energy. The result is a continuous current, which batteries can save for later use. 

How Do Solar Panels Work at Night?

So what happens to solar panels at night? Without exposure to sunlight, the transfer of electrons comes to a halt, and they stop creating energy. 

If you have solar panels on the roof, don’t worry! You can store the energy your panels produce during the day for later use in solar batteries. However, you will need to have several batteries to ensure you always have enough to power your home.

Thankfully, many solar companies allow their customers to participate in a net metering program. It works by transferring the excess energy your panels produce to the power grid in exchange for credits. Then, you can cash in your credits to power your home on cloudy days or at night. 

For more information on how solar panels work, go to sunnyenergysolar.com!

Do Solar Panels Work at Night?- Now You Know!

After reading this post, you have a better idea of how solar panels work and how they power your home at night. For more information, be sure to contact a solar energy company in your area! They can resolve any other concerns you have and help you understand the benefits of powering your home with solar energy. 

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