Thinking about adding solar panels to your home? You might have seen them on rooftops and wondered: how do these things actually turn sunlight into electricity? Don’t worry—we’ll break it down step by step, in a way that’s easy to understand and shows you why solar could be a smart move for your home and community.
Step 1: Sunlight Hits the Solar Cells
At the heart of every solar panel are photovoltaic (PV) cells, usually made from silicon. These cells are the parts that actually capture sunlight. When sunlight—made up of tiny particles called photons—hits a solar cell, some of that light is absorbed by the silicon. This is the first step in turning sunlight into electricity.
Think of it as sunlight giving the solar cells a gentle nudge to start producing energy.
Step 2: Creating an Electric Field
Each PV cell has two layers of silicon:
Where these two layers meet, they form a p-n junction, creating an electric field. This field acts like a one-way street, guiding the flow of electrons when they are freed by sunlight.
This electric field is essential—it’s what gives the solar panel its ability to generate electricity that can actually power your home.
Step 3: Freeing and Moving Electrons
When sunlight energises the electrons in the silicon, they break free from their atoms, leaving behind “holes.” The electric field at the p-n junction pushes these free electrons in a single direction, setting up a voltage difference.
Imagine it like a line of people passing buckets of water along—the electrons are the water, and the electric field is guiding the flow toward where it’s needed.
Step 4: Drawing Off Usable Power
Metal contacts on the top and bottom of the PV cell collect the moving electrons. Once collected, these electrons flow through external wires, creating a direct current (DC) electric circuit.
When connected to your home system, these electrons can power lights, appliances, and more. The energy flows through your home, and any leftover electricity can be sent back to the grid.
Step 5: From DC to Household AC
Homes run on alternating current (AC), not DC. So, solar panels feed electricity into an inverter, which converts DC into AC. This AC electricity can then power your home just like the energy from your electricity provider.
Multiple solar panels combined form a solar array, producing enough electricity to cover more of your home’s needs. The bigger the array, the more power you generate.
If you want a deeper dive into the positives, check out our guide on the benefits of solar panels.
Switch Together: Making Solar Simple
Switching to solar can feel like a big decision, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Our team guides you through each step—from choosing the right panels to installation—so you can enjoy lower bills, a smarter home, and a cleaner environment.
Joining thousands of UK households already making the switch means you’re part of a community creating a real impact.
