Learn About What Makes Solar Power Tick
By: Ask Solar Mike
Tags: Solar Energy, Ask Solar Mike, Solar Panel Installation, Solar Power

Do you remember when solar calculators were the rage in the 80s? Almost every high school student had one for math and science class. Solar cell was the new technology. Imagine that, it’s been almost 30 years. So, let’s revisit. What is solar power?

The Sun is the Source of Power

Solar Power is most often interchangeably used with Solar Energy, but they’re not exactly the same. Solar Energy is essentially the raw power you get from the sun. Whenever the sun shines, which is eternal, you’ll have solar energy.

Solar Power is what you get when you convert solar energy into electricity for use in your home, your business and everywhere else. One of the most common ways of harnessing solar energy and converting it into usable power is through the wonders of photovoltaics.

Photovoltaics through Solar Panels

Photovoltaics is the process that changes sunlight into electricity. The solar panel is the main component that makes photovoltaics work. It is composed of many solar cells that simply capture all the sunlight that they can at any given time. Once sunlight is trapped in the panels, several things happen simultaneously. The solar cells become activated creating a chain reaction at the atomic level. Electrons are separated and continuously bounce around creating the electric current.

DC to AC conversion

Now the electrical current that is produced by solar panels are Direct Current or DC. You can’t exactly use it yet. You still need to convert that DC power into Alternating Current or “AC” to be able to feed that electrical power into your homes. What you need is an Inverter. Solar Panel installations usually come with an inverter as part of the Solar Panel System or Solar System for short.

Solar Power for Life

Once you install solar panels in your home, you will have a renewable source of electrical power for life. Even when it’s a cloudy day, you can still harness solar energy. It’s just maybe lesser than usual, but you’ll still have it.

If you want to have a more efficient solar panel system, you may also want to include a battery or storage. This works to store excess solar power generated during the day. It usually serves as a back-up system for when there’s a power outage. Depending on your solar panel system, you may be able to sustain solar power for your whole house if you have ample battery capacity.

Shift to Solar Power Now

Solar Power has several benefits. It’s renewable and inexhaustible. As long as the sun shines, there will be solar energy to be consumed. You will also have lesser electrical bills when you attach solar panels to your roof because the sun won’t charge you for using its energy. You can have as much of it as you want. You’re also saving the environment because the conversion from sunlight to power doesn’t release any dangerous emissions, unlike fossil fuels.

If you want to learn more about solar panels, send us a message on Facebook or visit our Ask Solar Mike website.

If you’re interested in accurately computing your solar panels requirement, schedule a call with us and you’ll be on your way towards your solar panel journey.