How Solar Panels Work
What kind of energy do solar panels capture?
Sunlight / solar energy.
Solar panels only work in hot weather.
Myth.
Where are solar panels usually placed?
Roof.
What is the main part of a solar panel called that converts sunlight into electricity?
A photovoltaic (PV) cell.
Solar panels can still produce energy on cloudy days.
Fact.
What part of a home solar system stores extra energy for later use?
A battery
What type of electricity do solar panels produce: AC or DC?
DC (direct current)
Solar panels require constant maintenance.
Myth- they require very little maintenance.
Why are most solar panels dark in color?
Dark colors absorb more sunlight
What device converts solar DC electricity into AC electricity for home use?
An inverter
Solar energy is now one of the cheapest forms of electricity.
Fact
What is one reason solar panels are tilted instead of flat?
To capture more sunlight throughout the day.
What effect describes how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity?
The photovoltaic effect
Solar panels stop working completely in the winter.
Myth- they work even better in cold temperatures.
What direction do solar panels usually face in the Northern Hemisphere for best energy production?
South.