How do solar cells work?

How to use solar panels

Today, solar cells are used for residential buildings, villas, companies and public buildings.

The most common is that you have solar panels on the roof as a supplementary energy source. Abroad, there are also clean solar power plants with solar modules that are set up on very large areas.

This is how solar cells work

Solar cells are connected in larger solar panels that are mounted on the roof of the property or on the facade. When the sun’s rays hit the solar cells, electrical voltage arises between the front and back of the cell.

By connecting a wire between the front and back of the cell, current is formed in the form of direct current. In order for the electricity to be used in the property, a so-called inverter is used which converts direct current to alternating current.

How do solar cells work under clouds and snow?

Solar cells provide the most energy in the summer, but they do not stop producing electricity just because it is cloudy or because there is snow on the roof. So it does not have to be sunny, just bright.

On a clear summer day, most electricity is produced. Between March and October, production is at its highest. Solar cells convert about 10–15% of the incoming solar energy into electricity.

Solar panels require almost no maintenance

Solar panels require almost no maintenance as there are no moving components that can be a hassle. The panels do not need to be cleaned as their efficiency is only to a small extent affected by dirt.

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Rain and snow clean the solar cells

- Solar panels are angled and slippery so the leaves fall or blow off and do not stay on the roof.

A simple search on the internet results in many search results with advice and tips on how to clean the solar panels from dirt and dust.

- In Australia, it rains often enough that you do not have to clean the solar panels. It is not only the summer and autumn rain showers that clean the modules, but snow also has a cleaning effect on the roof.

How much are solar panels affected by dirt and debris?

- There are very few studies done on how dirt and debris affect the effect of solar panels in Australia.

- It is not only leaves but also dust, pollen, bird droppings and algae that settle on the roof. My opinion is that the impact on electricity production is smaller than most people think. It is largely negligible on an annual basis. Nature does the work.

In Australia, we are so happy that rain and snow clean the solar panels often enough so that you do not have to do anything. If you still want to clean the solar panels yourself, we have some good advice:

• Use only water and special detergents for solar panels
• Tap water can leave limescale deposits on the surface of the solar panel
• Use a soft cloth or sponge that does not scratch the surface

Solar panels do not store electricity

s long as it is bright, you get energy from the solar cells. When it gets dark, energy production stops. Solar panels have no possibility to save the electricity you do not use, but you can supplement your panels with solar batteries to have energy even when the sun has gone down.

You can also sell your surplus electricity. By entering the surplus electricity on the electricity grid, you can sell it to an electricity company, which in turn sells the electricity on to other electricity trading customers.

Solar cells increase the value of the house

Brokers have already seen the trends, but now it’s black and white: Putting solar cells on the roof increases the value of your house. It shows a new survey from the Australian real estate.

Maximum effect

If you have Solar Edge, each individual panel has its own optimizer so that they can produce independently of each other. This means that you get the most out of your plant and can monitor electricity production at panel level.

Safe for the roof

The panels are mounted on top of aluminum support rails. Based on the roof type, approved roof brackets are used that do not affect the waterproofing layer.

Flexible mounting

Solar panels can be mounted in different folds, directions and sections where they do the most good on your roof. It also means that there are opportunities to expand the system in the future.