More and more people are seeing solar panels to generate energy from sunlight. But what is the situation when the sun disappears? Do solar panels produce electricity at night? This is something many people ask and knowing the answer can help you use your solar energy system well.
How Solar Panel Works
Solar panels or PV panels, are used to change sunlight into electricity. Solar panels are constructed using many solar cells and these cells are usually made with silicon. When sunlight falls on these cells, it makes electrons depart from their atoms. When electrons move, they produce an electric current that can supply power to homes and businesses.
During daylight hours, solar panels are working to turn sunlight into electricity. You can power your home right away with this electricity or you can keep it in batteries to use at a later time. Some types of solar energy systems are linked to the grid, so you can send your extra energy to the power company and receive credit for it.
Solar Panels at Night
So, the main question is: Can solar panels still work when it’s dark? The truth is, solar panels do not make electricity when it’s dark. The solar cells only generate an electric current when there is sunlight. This happens because changing sunlight into electricity depends entirely on the availability of sunlight.
Energy Storage Systems
Although solar panels are not active at night, there are solutions to keep your electricity on after dark. Batteries are one of the most popular ways to deal with this problem.
Storing Energy in Batteries
Solar panels produce more electricity than we need during the day which is stored in battery systems. With this energy stored, you can use it at night or on cloudy days, when solar panels make less electricity.
Different batteries can be used for solar energy storage such as:
- Solar energy systems usually use lithium-ion batteries the most. They save energy, last for a long time and can hold a lot of energy. These are a classic type of battery and are usually less costly than lithium-ion batteries. Even so, they are heavier and do not last as long as other types.
- Flow batteries are a relatively new kind of battery that can hold a lot of energy. You will often find them in large commercial or industrial solar energy systems. Storing your solar energy in batteries allows you to use it at night as well.
- Net metering makes it possible for you to connect your solar energy system to the grid. Any extra electricity made by your solar panels during the day is sent back to the power grid. Your utility company pays you for the energy you did not use. In the evening, when the sun is not shining, you can get electricity from the grid. You can use the daytime credits to help pay for the electricity you use at night. Thanks to this, solar energy will still be available to you even when the sun is not out.
Systems that Combine Different Types of Energy
A number of homeowners choose hybrid systems by using solar panels together with other methods like wind turbines or natural gas generators. With these systems, there is a reliable supply of electricity at any time and in any weather.
In regions where wind is always present, wind turbines can make electricity even during night or cloudy days when solar panels do not work well.
Natural gas generators are useful when the power from solar panels and batteries is insufficient. They turn on by themselves when necessary, keeping the electricity flowing all the time.
The Value of Energy Efficient Practices
Whatever storage or backup system you use, making your home more energy efficient is always beneficial. If you switch to energy-efficient appliances, lighting and heating and cooling systems, you can lower your energy use. As a result, you will require less energy from your solar panels and storage, making your system work better and cost less.
All in all, solar panels are unable to work at night since they rely on sunlight to make electricity. Still, there are ways to keep your electricity running after the sun goes down. Extra energy from the day can be stored in batteries and used when the sun is not shining. Thanks to net metering, you can take power from the grid when necessary, using the credits you save during the day. Solar panels working together with other energy methods can ensure a steady supply of electricity.
Learning about solar panels and the ways to store their energy can help you make better use of your solar system and get the advantages of clean, renewable power at all times. If you live in an area with lots of sun or not-so-sunny weather, solar energy will help you use less energy and lower your energy bills.
