Simply put a solar panel works by allowing photons or particles of light to knock electrons free from atoms generating a flow of electricity.
How do solar panels work to heat a home.
Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells generating direct current dc energy and then converting it to usable alternating current ac energy with the help of inverter technology.
The first one goes from the solar collector to the tank heating the water in the tank.
There are two types of inverters.
Solar thermal which uses sunlight to directly provide heat and solar photovoltaic which turns sunlight into electricity that can be used to power your heating system.
Basically there are two types of solar technologies you can use to heat your home.
To use active solar heating to heat your house panels of tubes or pipes called a radiant slab system are installed in the floors or walls of your home.
When the liquid is heated it is pumped.
Two separate water loops are established.
Solar thermal panels use heat from the sun to warm fluid passing through them as the diagram below shows.
How do solar panels work for your home a household power inverter is a necessary solar power accessory.
This is then used to heat your water which is stored in a hot water cylinder.
As the sun hits the solar panels they generate direct current dc electricity where the electrons flow around a circuit in one direction.
For active solar heating systems the thermal mass is usually an insulated water tank.
Once solar panels are installed on your roof and begin to create energy there are a few steps required to turn it into energy your home can use.
The second one goes from the tank to the air handling unit providing heating to the home.
The solar power inverter converts the dc current sent from the solar panels to ac current which can be used by the appliances in the home.
How does solar energy work.
Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units.