Understanding How Solar Panels Work

• Posted by Alex Carey August 27, 2025 Filed in Technology #Trina Solar energy panels  67 views
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  In many ways, it sounds like something out of a sci-fi film: capturing the rays of the sun and harnessing them for power. But it’s something that houses around the globe are doing on a daily basis. Solar panels are remarkable pieces of technology that are becoming more and more common in cities and neighborhoods, but have you ever stopped to wonder how, exactly, they do what they do? Keep reading for a simplified breakdown of the complex science behind solar panels.

  Step 1: Capturing the Sunlight

  The first thing to understand is that sunlight itself is a kind of energy; that’s why plants are able to use it to create food for themselves. The trick (and the first step in the solar power process) is capturing those rays. Solar panels are covered in hundreds of small units called solar cells. These cells are made from silicon, a material that’s very good at absorbing sunlight. When the sun shines on a solar panel, the energy from the light is absorbed by the solar cells.

  Step 2: Knocking Electrons Around

  When the sunlight is absorbed into the silicon cell, its energy knocks electrons loose from the atoms in the silicon—and that’s where the magic really starts to happen. Those moving electrons are the source of electricity; this is true not only in solar power production, but in all forms of electricity. It’s always generated by moving electrons. However, they need a path to follow to do any useful work, like powering your home.

  Step 3: Creating an Electric Current

  To help give those energized electrons purpose, the solar cells have a built-in electrical field of their own. You can think of this field as a slide that points the electrons in the right direction. Once they start moving along that “slide,” they form a flow of electricity that moves in one direction. This is known as direct current, or DC electricity.

  Step 4: Changing from DC to AC

  Unfortunately, homes and appliances primarily use alternating current, or AC power, so your solar process doesn’t stop there. Next, the flowing electrons move to your solar inverter. This device is connected to your solar panel system and rapidly changes the flow of the electrons back and forth to convert it from DC to AC electricity. After this conversion happens, you’re ready to power your home with fresh-squeezed electricity, straight from the sun. And it’s all thanks to your Trina Solar energy panels.