Watch the video below to learn how solar panels capture energy from the sun to generate 100% renewable electricity for your home or business.

How does a solar panel work?

Solar panels are made out of photovoltaic cells that 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 this creates the current needed to produce electricity.

Solar panels generate a direct current of electricity. This is then passed through an inverter to convert it into an alternating current, which can be fed into the National Grid or used by the home or business that the solar panels are attached to.

How solar panels work to turn sunlight into electricity for your home.

What are some of the advantages of solar energy?

  • There is 14.6GW of installed solar in the UK – that’s more than four times the capacity of Britain’s largest fossil fuel power station.
  • Solar panels can be installed in a wide range of places. From larger, countryside solar farms that can support local biodiversity by providing an undisturbed habitat for bees, butterflies and nesting birds, to rooftop solar panels in city centres that can help combat fuel poverty.
  • Solar panels don’t create any noise pollution while generating electricity. This means that installations aren’t intrusive – whether they’re in crowded urban locations or quiet rural ones.
  • Solar panels are very safe. They’re mostly made from silicon sheets, and there’s no danger of the photovoltaic cells leaking or emitting any toxins or fumes.
  • Solar panels help you to cut your carbon footprint, and will pay for themselves through savings in your bills in an average of 14 years.

Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

Solar panels react to the visible light spectrum. This means, if it’s light enough to see, there’s enough light for them to start generating electricity. But the stronger the sunlight, the more power solar panels will generate. 


Does it need to be hot for solar panels to work?

Solar panels produce more electricity in the summer, which can make it seem like they need warmer weather to work. But this isn’t the case – it’s just that stronger sunlight and warmer temperatures often go hand in hand. In fact, if the temperature gets too hot (or too cold), they become less efficient.

Because we get over 8 hours of sunlight a day all year round and don’t often experience extreme temperatures, the UK is well suited to solar power.


How can I get solar panels?

With high electricity prices in the news, now is a great time to start generating your own renewable electricity at home and get your own solar panels.

We install solar panels through Wessex ECOEnergy, an established solar panel installer that became part of Good Energy Group in 2023. Wessex is based in Dorset and is MCS, RECC and Tesla Energy Certified, with a strong reputation for high quality service and installation standards.