The Sun is the original source of almost all energy used on Earth. The Earth receives a staggering amount of energy from the Sun. As much energy falls on the planet each hour as the total human population of the Earth uses in a year.

Solar panels are made from photovoltaic cells, called “PV” for short. Simply put, photo means light and voltaic relates to the production of electricity. Photovotaic technology enables the creation of electricity using light. PV cells have at least two layers of semiconductor material, one that is positively-charged and one that is negatively-charged. When the Sun’s light shines on the semiconductor, the electric field across the junction between these two layers causes electricity to flow, producing a direct current. The greater the intensity of light, the greater the flow of electricity.

Their are many types of PV panels, or solar panels, including PV roofing tiles which replace other forms of roofing materials and simplify installation. They can be installed on a residential home easily and work very simply and any south-facing roof (for northern hemisphere installations).

The lights that lands on the solar panels is converted into clean electricity. There are no moving parts so this is a silent operation.

The electricity generated by the panels is direct current, or DC. By installing an inverter, it’s coverted into alternating current, or AC, so it is in sync with the main electrical grid and can be used normally for AC loads.

The clean electricity is then fed into the main power grid via the electric junction box. Using meters, the amount of electricity procduced and used can be recorded and any excess energy produced can be sold to the electricity supplier.

The amount of energy available from the Sun differ depending on your location. For instance, London receives 1000 kilowatt hours per square metre. Madrid receives 1500 kilowatt hours per square metre. 800 kwh/m² is enough energy to power an energy efficient home. You would need 10 Sq. metres (11 Sq. Yards) of PV panels to power such a home entirely from solar energy.

Solar photovoltaics are a simple and practical way of powering building with clean energy. Using solar power can lead to a sustainabe future within this generation. We have only to do it.