At first glance, those words can seem extremely ambiguous and technical – but the fundamentals are actually quite simple: whenever the sun shines on them, they convert sunlight into electricity for your home. For details on Solar Panel Installation Weston, visit redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installation-weston/
What do solar panels do?
Solar panels (PV modules): These sit on your roof, catch the sun and generate electricity.
Inverter: This is the “translator”. The electricity generated by the panels is then converted to a form that can be used in your home.
Consumer unit / meter: Your solar power is used in your home first as it is generated, any excess then automatically registers and gets fed into the grid.
Optional battery: stores extra solar electricity for later (e.g. nighttime)
The Sun is shining… Now, let’s go step-by-step
Daylight hits the panels. There are cells inside the panels cranking out power.
Electricity flows to the inverter. That is converted to power for your home by the inverter.
Your home uses solar first. Your washing machine, dishwasher and office equipment during the day can be powered by your solar. Any spare electricity goes to the grid or stored in a battery. As long you are on a battery, it re-charges. What is not used to charge (or you keep as reserve) should be transferred back into the grid.
You top up your electricity with some grid juice where needed when solar isn’t enough. You will still have to buy your electricity from the grid at night or on very dark days.
Do solar panels actually work on cloudy days and in winter?
Yes. Sun power panels use day time sunshine not temperature. Output is also likely to be less in winter when the days are shorter and the sun lower, but a well-sited system should still produce useful amounts of power throughout its life no matter the season.
What influences the amount of electricity you will get?
Slope of the roof (while very gradual roofs might also work, at steeper angles or facing south more power can be generated but east/west pitches are fine too)
Trees or buildings that cast a shadow.
Number of Panels = More generation potential per hour.
When and how you use energy (moving usage to the day may improve savings)
The big takeaway
For most homes, solar panels do not “replace” the grid; they effectively reduce how much you need to purchase from it. This solution provides the best performance from a properly sized system installed safely and to fit how you actually use electricity.
