Have you ever looked at your solar panels and wondered how they worked? The process is as elegant as it is efficient. They harness the energy coming from the light of the sun through the use of photovoltaic cells, and it turns that energy into electricity that can be used to power our everyday lives.
When sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells on the solar panels, they capture that energy and convert it into Direct Current (DC) electricity. But because most homes run on Alternating Current (AC) electricity, an inverter is used to transform that DC power into more usable AC electricity. This converted electricity flows through your home’s electrical panel, which can be used to power everything from your refrigerator to your lighting systems.

The Basics of Solar Energy
The Sun is what makes solar panels work. It’s nature’s ultimate power source, because it continues to generate energy for solar panels to harness and use. Nuclear fusion happens inside the sun’s core at a temperature of 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. Hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, which releases energy as photons. These light particles travel from the sun’s core to Earth, where we can use them to power our solar panels.
This natural fusion reactor has been in operation for billions of years, where it has converted 600 million tons of hydrogen into helium every second. The solar energy that makes its way to Earth in just one hour is more than our planet’s energy consumption.
The Photovoltaic Process
Once the light of the sun reaches Earth, solar panels can capture and convert that energy into usable electricity through the use of the “photovoltaic effect.” Here is the process for how this works:
- Photons from sunlight hit the surface of the solar panels, where they’re absorbed by the photovoltaic cells.
- When the photons interact with cells, the energy is turned into electrons and is excited into a higher state.
- The energized electrons break free from their atoms and start to move, which creates an electrical current.
- The flow of electrons generates DC electricity inside the panels.
- The DC electricity flows into an inverter, which converts it into AC electricity.
- The AC electricity enters your home’s electrical panel, which can be used to power your appliances and devices.
As long as sunlight hits the solar panels, this photovoltaic process happens instantaneously and on a continuous basis. Modern solar panels can convert roughly 15-20% of the sunlight they receive into electricity, which makes them an efficient solution for generating clean energy.
How Solar Panels Are Made
Every solar panel is made up of a number of important parts that work together to generate clean energy. These parts consist of the following:
- Solar Cells — These make up the heart of your solar panels and are usually made of monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. Mono crystalline cells are made out of single silicon crystals. And while they’re more efficient, they come at a higher cost. Polycrystalline cells are made out of multiple silicon fragments and are considered to be a more affordable option.
- Protective Glass — This durable shield of tempered glass protects the solar cells from weather and impact damage while allowing for the maximum amount of sunlight transmission.
- Anti-Reflective Coating — This special layer makes sure that more sunlight can reach the solar cells instead of bouncing off the panel’s surface.
- Insulation and Backing — These layers protect the panels from moisture and heat, but they also provide electrical insulation for safety.
- Wiring and Junction Box — The internal wiring connects the solar cells, while the junction box allows the generated electricity to flow to your inverter.
When they work together, these components create a durable and efficient system that can generate clean energy for at least 25 years.
How Solar Panel Efficiency is Measured
Solar panels have become increasingly popular as a clean alternative to traditional energy sources, but you might be wondering how efficient they are. Solar panel efficiency measures how well a panel can convert sunlight into electricity. Most residential solar panels have an efficiency rate of 15-20%, but premium panels can have up to a 23% efficiency. This percentage has a direct impact on how much power your solar system can generate. If your panels have a higher efficiency rate, they’ll be able to generate the same amount of sunlight.
If you’re looking for one of the best places to get solar panels in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Solar Power Integrator. We have an experienced team who would be happy to speak with you!