How Solar PV Works

Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels generate electricity from daylight – and this can produce some power for your home. Natural, 'clean' and free. Solar energy becomes your home's first energy source.

You only use grid electricity when you need more power than you can produce or at night time.

• Solar PV works on light not direct sun – so it works even in our weather!
• When light shines on the cells of PV panels, direct current (DC) begins to flow. The stronger the light, the more electricity is generated
• The DC current flows to an inverter which converts it into alternating current (AC) which is what we use in our homes
• From the inverter, the electricity flows through a meter to your consumer unit where it is connected to the rest of your home's electrical system
• This solar energy powers your home. It's no different than the power you get from the grid, except that it is free and it's always used first. If it's night time, or there is not enough power from your panels, then the system switches to the grid, keeping everything working smoothly.
• If you aren't using all your power the electricity from your panels flows into the grid so someone else can use it (you are like a power station!) And because it's 'clean' energy, it's great for our planet.