{"id":81106,"date":"2023-02-27T15:18:27","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T23:18:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=81106"},"modified":"2023-08-11T11:02:31","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T18:02:31","slug":"how-do-solar-panels-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-do-solar-panels-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Solar Panels Work? What Homeowners Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Solar panels convert energy from the sun into usable electricity. Many governments also offer subsidies and tax breaks for people to install them on their properties, making them a popular choice for homeowners nationwide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To get the most out of a solar panel system, it\u2019s important for homeowners to understand how they work. So how do solar panels work? Whether you live in a <\/span>rental in Boston<\/span><\/a>, or a <\/span>house in New Haven, CT<\/span><\/a>, read on to learn about how solar panels work, different types of solar panels, and how to know if your solar panels need maintenance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How do solar panels work?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert sunlight into energy. PV panels absorb sunlight using semiconductor materials — typically with silicon and a mix of phosphorus and boron. When photons (light) from the sun hit the silicon panel, they knock electrons loose from their atoms, creating an electrical current that flows through metal contacts in the panel. Solar inverters convert this energy from direct current (DC) to usable alternating current (AC) electricity.<\/span><\/p>\n

A solar panel usually consists of between 36 and 144 <\/span>PV cells<\/span><\/a>, each producing about one or two watts of power. Most residential solar panels have 60-72 cells. These cells are strung together into panels. A residential solar system can rely on a single panel or multiple connected panels (an array.) Typically, homeowners connect one or more arrays to the <\/span>electrical grid<\/span><\/a> to power their house.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While solar panels are generally efficient, \u201cit can vary depending on how much sunlight there is, the make and model of the solar panels, and which way they’re facing,\u201d notes the team at <\/span>Wunder-Mold<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are solar panels made from?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Around <\/span>84%<\/span><\/a> of solar panels in the US are made from <\/span>crystalline silicon<\/span><\/a>. However, other types of solar panels use alternative materials and new technologies. Here are the three most common:<\/span><\/p>\n