HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK?

Whether you're powering a stationary home with a solar panel roof or a mobile dwelling like a boat or RV with portable solar panels, solar panels follow the same fundamental process to convert sunlight into usable electricity. Here's a breakdown of the key steps:

• Photovoltaic Effect: The solar panels, including those in solar panel kits, are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells composed of semiconductor materials like silicon. When sunlight (photons) strikes these PV cells, it knocks electrons loose from the atoms, allowing them to flow and generate an electric current through the photovoltaic effect.
• Direct Current Generation: The freed electrons create an electrical circuit within the solar cells, generating direct current (DC) electricity. However, most household appliances and electronics require alternating current (AC) to operate.
• Inverter Conversion: This is where solar inverters come into play. For homes, a central inverter converts the DC electricity from the solar panels into AC electricity that can power the home's electrical systems. For boats and RVs equipped with portable solar kits, smaller inverters perform the same DC-to-AC conversion to supply the onboard electrical loads.
• Energy Distribution and Storage: In a home solar system, the converted AC electricity flows through the electrical panel and wiring to power lights, appliances, and other loads. Excess energy can be stored in batteries or fed back to the utility grid (if grid-tied). For boats and RVs, the AC electricity from the inverter powers the onboard electrical systems and charges the batteries. These batteries store the excess energy for use when the solar panels are not producing power, such as at night or during cloudy conditions.
• Off-Grid or Grid-Tied: Homes can be set up as off-grid solar systems, relying entirely on solar power and battery storage, or grid-tied systems that remain connected to the utility grid as a backup or for selling excess energy. Boats and RVs typically operate as off-grid solar systems with portable solar panel kits, using batteries to store energy for when the solar panels are not generating power, ensuring a reliable source of electricity while on the move or anchored.

By harnessing the abundant and renewable energy from the sun, solar panels provide a clean and sustainable way to meet the electricity needs of homes, boats, and RVs, reducing reliance on traditional power sources and enabling greater energy independence.