Everything you need to know about solar power

How is solar energy used?

Solar power is used in two main ways: generating electricity or thermal energy. For most homeowners, solar panels that convert solar energy to electricity are the best use of solar energy because it allows them to save on electric bills.

Do solar panels produce enough energy?

On cloudy days and during the night, a solar system may not produce enough energy to meet demand. The opposite is true for very sunny days: When energy use is low but production is high, panels will collect surplus energy, usually more than enough for a customer’s energy needs.

What is solar energy?

Solar energy is energy from the sun that we capture with various technologies, including solar panels. There are two main types of solar energy: photovoltaic and thermal. The “photovoltaic effect” is the mechanism by which solar panels harness the sun’s energy to generate electricity. Want to take advantage of solar energy yourself?

Why do people choose to go solar?

There’s virtually unlimited reasons why people choose to go solar. From energy independence, to reducing energy bills, to climate concerns, there’s really no “wrong” reason to install panels. And as solar panels continue to drop in price, they’ve become a competitive energy option for more and more homes and businesses.

How do solar panels generate electricity?

Solar panels generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect, which harnesses the sun’s energy. There are two main types of solar energy: photovoltaic and thermal. Solar energy is energy from the sun that we capture with various technologies, including solar panels.

How can you use energy from the Sun?

The two main ways to use energy from the sun are photovoltaics and solar thermal capture. Solar photovoltaic systems are common for smaller-scale electricity projects, like home solar panel installations, while solar thermal capture is typically only used for electricity production on massive scales in utility solar installations.