How Solar Works

Learn about the process of how energy from the sun is converted into power at Virginia Tech below.

Sun and Solar Energy

The sun produces an enormous amount of energy. The energy is produced from deep within its core, where high pressure causes over four million tons of hydrogen to be converted to helium every second through the process of nuclear fusion. In one hour, enough sunlight hits the earth to power our world for one year.

Panel and Inverter

Photovoltic, or "PV", Solar panels convert some of the energy from the sun into electricity. A typical solar panel contains many individual solar cells. Light hitting the solar cell causes the release of electrons, resulting in a direct, or "DC", current, similar to the electricity produced by a flashlight battery.

Inverter and Meter

In order to use the DC power from a solar panel, it must be converted into alternating, or "AC" power. This is the job of a device called an inverter. The output from the inverter connects to the wires in a house or office building. A meter measures the amount of energy produced by the inverter so that we can know how much energy we are saving.

Meter and Grid

The grid is the network of power lines that move electrical energy from where it is produced to where it is used. Many solar power systems are located on or near buildings where the energy is used, reducing the load on the grid and nearby traditional power plants. On sunny days, your power meter may actually run backwards as excess power flows back onto the grid to help power nearby homes and businesses.