How Solar Panels Produce Energy

How solar energy is produced and used by businesses

New applications for solar energy technology are being developed every day, but the science behind it isn’t anything new. You might remember using a calculator in school -- those were solar powered. Now, entire buildings, refrigeration systems and HVAC systems are powered by the same technology. During our consultation process, we uncover more applications for solar energy for your business in particular.

Understanding how this works doesn’t require a special degree, just a little research. Once you understand the process, you’ll be on your way to using solar energy for business, industrial and governmental applications. Not only will this reduce your overhead and increase profits, but it will also lower your carbon footprint.

Graphic of solar panels on a roof that convert sunlight into DC energy. This flows to the inverter which converts the AC into DC electricity, and then a switchboard sends power to the bulding.

A solar panel system works using a number of panels (an array), which are can be mounted on your roof or in a large field or desert. Each solar panel is made up of photovoltaic cells, wafer-thin layers of silicon that look like mirrored blue or black tiles.

When sunlight hits the cells, it creates an electric field – the brighter the light, the more electricity they produce. This direct current (DC) electricity then flows to an inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC) electricity for you to use.

During the day, when solar panels generate electricity, the power automatically feeds to your machinery, appliances, and lighting. Additional electricity required above what your solar panels produce at any given time (or at night) will be taken from the grid. Solar panels can’t store electricity, so any power generated that you don’t use at the time will be exported back to the grid. When you provide a surplus of energy and help power other homes and businesses, the city will offset your energy bill amount based on what you’ve provided.

Armed with this knowledge, now you can understand better how solar power can benefit your business. Our solar energy solutions have lowered overhead costs for a variety of business, industrial and governmental applications. Using our state of the art technology, we can power HVAC & chiller units, refrigeration systems, and your entire office building.

To learn how making this switch could benefit your company, use our energy audit stimulator, or contact us here for a free energy audit.