The UK’s rapid transition to solar energy is transforming how homeowners power their homes, significantly slashing energy bills and fostering independence from grid power by simply harvesting daylight.

Having already helped thousands of homeowners and businesses embrace a clean energy future, leading installer – Naked Solar are perfectly placed to explain the sweet science behind solar energy.

 

What are Solar Panels?

In simple terms, Solar Panels are devices that convert sunlight into electricty. Panels are packed with these little powerhouses known as photovoltaic (PV) cells. Imagine them as tiny sun-catchers made from semiconductor materials – When sunlight hits the PV cells, it excites electrons in the material, causing them to flow and create an electrical current which is then directed through wires to power homes and businesses with clean energy.

In the last decade, Solar Panels have made huge leaps in both technology and aesthetics to offer greater value than ever before. With efficiency of Panels soaring from roughly 15-18% to SunPower’s Maxeon panel achieving up to 25%.  Choosing the highest quality panels, homeowners can expect a much faster Return On Investment, backed with a 40-year full cost of replacement warranty to demonstrate the exceptional durability of the top quality solar panel technology. 

Solar Panels are no longer considered the ugly duckling of the renewable world. The rise of sleek, all black panel’s and integrated designs replace the old Solar Panel systems that were often seen as clunky and obtrusive additions to rooftops. Check out guide to Solar Panel Aesthetics to get the full story.

 

 

In a recent Naked Solar Installation, this Devon Homeowner opted for elegant, all black Solar Panels to adorn their rooftop. 

 

How Do Solar Panels Work? 

Solar Panels, also known as Photovoltaic panels (Photo = light, Voltaic = electric) convert daylight into electricity.  It’s important to note here the word daylight, not sunlight.  It’s a common Solar misconception that Solar Panels need direct sunlight to generate.  In fact they continue to produce electricity on cloudy days (great news for our variable UK weather!).  Their power increases the brighter the light is. 

1. The sun emits light energy which contains ‘photons’. When photons hit your solar panels they excite the electrons in the solar panels silicon cells which converts into electrical energy.
2. The current flows into your inverter which converts the Direct Current (DC) power produced by the solar panels, to Alternating Current (AC) power suitable for your home appliances.
3. AC power is then fed into your Consumer Unit (fuse board/trip switches) in your home, and is distributed to any appliances using power at that time. 
4. Any surplus energy that your home isn’t using is either used to fill your Battery Storage system for later use, or exported back to the grid.  You can set up a smart export guarantee (SEG) tariff with an energy provider, who will pay you for the exported energy.  Many customers are choosing to maximise their return through Solar Grid Trading, often meaning their bills become negative and they become their energy supplier’s energy supplier. 

 

 

 

 

Ready to ‘Go Green’? Talk to the South West’s Number 1 Solar Installer

Since 2010, Naked Solar have been proud to help thousands of people make the switch to a greener, more energy independent future, winning multiple Reigonal and National awards along the way. 

From lower bills, energy freedom and environmental benefits, the advantages of embracing solar energy are numerous.  If you think solar installation could be right for you, request a quote or get in touch with our team of specialists today

 

 

 

Ready To Take Back Control With Solar Energy?