Solar PV panels or photovoltaic (PV) cells produce electricity from the rays of the sun. Multiple solar panels can be coupled into larger arrays to produce significant amounts of power.

The process of creating electricity from the sun occurs in the photovoltaic cells. A specific semi-conducting material, often silicon is used to create these cells. When a photon of light strikes a molecule within the cell, an electron is knocked free. An electrical field causes the free electron to migrate to one side of the cell. The accumulated effect of millions of this interaction generates electricity

The electricity that is generated is direct current. This direct current can be converted to AC power and stored in batteries until it is needed or it can be used as DC to supply power. If batteries are used a converter is set up to stop electrical output from the cell once the battery is full.

If you are considering installing solar pv panels on your home or business there are several questions you must consider before you make your purchase.

How much power do you need? This should be the first question you answer. A careful review of your electricity bill should give you a good approximation of the kWh kilowatt-hours you use per month.

How much energy should the battery I purchase store? Once you know how much your battery can store, you are able to select a solar PV panels that can restock your battery inline with your pattern of use.

How much energy can a solar panel generate over a period of time? The power generation rating of a solar panel is given in Watts; to calculate the energy it can supply to the battery, multiply the Watts by the hours exposed to sunlight, then multiply that result by .85.

Once you have the answers to these basic questions you are much more prepared to select the type and size of solar panel you need to meet your requirements.

Use Solar Calculators to select your solar panels!