How does it work?
Solar panels are made out of photovoltaic cells, these convert the sun’s energy into electricity.
Photovoltaic cells are sandwiched between layers of semi-conducting materials such as silicon. Each layer has different electronic properties that energise when hit by photons from sunlight, creating an electric field. This is known as the photoelectric effect – and it’s this that creates the current needed to produce electricity.
The panels capture the sun rays, this is then converted to electricity, sent to a substation which will then condition and synchronise the power, ready for injection to the electricity distribution network.
