HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK? A SIMPLE GUIDE
If you’re thinking about adding solar panels to your home, one of the first questions is: how do they actually work?
It’s a great question! The good news is, you don’t need to be an engineer to understand the basics.
In this guide, we’ll explain, in clear, simple terms, how solar panels turn sunlight into electricity you can use in your home.
IT ALL STARTS WITH THE SUN
The sun gives off a huge amount of energy – more than enough to power the world many times over.
Solar panels capture some of that energy and turn it into electricity for your home.
Here’s how it works:
THE KEY PARTS OF A SOLAR SYSTEM
A typical home solar system includes:
• Solar panels – the large panels you see on the roof
• Inverter – a small box that converts the electricity
• Cabling – to carry the power to your home
• Battery (optional) – to store excess energy for later
STEP 1: PANELS CAPTURE SUNLIGHT
Solar panels are made up of many solar cells. These cells are designed to absorb daylight, not just direct sunshine.
Even on cloudy days, the panels work, as long as it’s light outside, they are generating power.
STEP 2: ELECTRICITY IS CREATED
When sunlight hits the solar cells, it creates an electric current.
At this stage, the electricity is in DC (Direct Current) form, which needs to be converted before you can use it at home.
STEP 3: INVERTER CONVERTS THE POWER
The inverter is the heart of your solar system. It converts the DC power into AC (Alternating Current) – the type of electricity used by your lights, appliances and sockets.
Once converted, this clean solar electricity is ready to use in your home.
STEP 4: POWERING YOUR HOME
Now, your home will:
• Use your own solar electricity first
• Only draw from the grid when needed (such as at night)
The more you use during the day, the bigger the savings on your energy bill.
WHAT IF YOU GENERATE MORE THAN YOU USE?
When your panels generate more than your home is using:
• If you have a battery, the extra electricity is stored for later
• If not, the excess is sent back to the grid and you get paid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
This helps you make the most of your solar system. Even when you’re not home!
ADDING A BATTERY: WHY IT HELPS
Many homes now add a battery to their solar system.
A battery lets you:
• Store excess energy during the day
• Use it later – in the evening, or at night
• Save more on your energy bills
• Use more of your own clean electricity
At LIME, we’ll help you choose the right battery for your needs.
DO SOLAR PANELS WORK IN THE SCOTLAND?
Yes – absolutely!
Modern solar panels work well in the Scotland’s climate. It’s daylight… not just bright sunshine that matters.
Even on cloudy days, your panels will generate useful power. Scotland and the North of England are great markets for solar and thousands of homes are already seeing the benefits.
HOW LONG DO SOLAR PANELS LAST?
Solar panels are designed to last for 25–30 years or more.
They need very little maintenance and come with long performance warranties. With regular checks, they’ll keep generating clean energy for decades.
THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
• Cut your electricity bills
• Protect against rising energy prices
• Reduce your carbon footprint
• Make your home more energy independent
• Add value to your property
HOW LIME HELPS
• We make switching to solar simple with:
• Clear advice – no jargon, no pushy sales
• Premium panels and inverters
• Expert installation
• Flexible battery options
• Ongoing support and monitoring
We’ll help you choose the right system and get the most from it for years to come.
FINAL WORD
Solar panels are simple in principle: they turn free energy from the sun into clean power for your home.
Today’s systems are affordable, efficient and easy to run, helping thousands of homeowners cut costs and reduce carbon.
WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT SOLAR COULD DO FOR YOUR HOME?
Talk to our experts today! We’re here to help, with clear advice and a simple, stress-free process.
YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM, INSTALLED BY SCOTLAND’S LEADING INSTALLER
1
Start by simply adding your postcode in the box below.
2
Request your custom quote. Complete a couple of details and one of our solar experts will be in touch.
3
We’ll take care of it all, from designing the system right for your home to installation and advising you on export tariff options.
