What It Is – How it Works
When you consider that enough sunlight falls on the earth's surface each minute to meet the world's energy demands for an entire year, it's clear that sunlight represents a brilliant solution for our energy needs.
While energy radiating directly from the sun has always been available to us, now we can effectively harness it. Since the development of the first solar cell in 1954, its usage has continued to grow steadily along with its efficiency.
Today, solar power is considered the most abundant and pollution-free of all known energy sources — and we've only just begun to tap its incredible potential.
How Solar Cells Work
It starts with a solar cell; a semiconductor device that generates electricity from sunlight. A solar cell is made from a very thin slice of a silicon crystal. Sunlight activates electrons within the solar cell creating current which flows out of the cell and produces electricity. Individual solar cells are grouped together to form a solar cell module or panel that can be mounted on your roof.
What Makes SunPower Different
SunPower's proprietary backside-only contact design delivers the most highly efficient solar panel on the market today. Unlike typical solar products, our solar cells and panels position all the electrical contacts on the back of the cell leaving the entire front surface available to absorb and convert sunlight to power.
An industry first, this allows SunPower solar cells to achieve a minimum efficiency rating of more than 20 percent-which is up to 50 percent better than conventional technology.
How It Works in Your Home
Solar cell panels on your roof absorb the sun's rays, even on cloudy days, and convert them to usable electrical energy. Next, a device known as an inverter takes the dc current from solar panels and changes it to ac current for use throughout your home. Your solar system is connected to the utility grid through a standard meter that tracks both your power usage and any surplus production from your solar system.
During sunny days when your solar system generates more power than your home needs, your electric meter actually reverses direction and spins backwards as you lend that energy to the grid. When the sun goes down, you effectively retrieve that energy when you need it. This process is called net metering and allows the grid to act like a battery for you.
Want to learn more about your return on investment with SunPower solar solutions?
Solar Economics.
Find out what makes us different, and your best option for solar power.
Why Choose SunPower.
Learn more about SunPower solar panels and systems,
and site installation photos from around the world.
