Harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity requires a certain amount of daylight. But can the power be used at night?
Sunshine hours
Solar panels convert sunlight into energy through photovoltaic cells and require some level of sunlight as a minimum to produce electricity by converting it. Moonlight, although often bright, can’t be used by the cells, so the only way to use solar power at night is to generate as much as possible during the day and store it.
If you want to find out more and are looking for solar panel installers Nailsea, there are a number of specialists such as https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installers-nailsea who can explain the process.
Although solar panels can’t generate energy at night, technology means that energy produced during the day can be stored and used later. This is normally done via a battery which keeps sunlight within photovoltaic cells and releases it later. As the renewable energy market grows, more efficient and affordable products are being added which makes it easier for homeowners to do this.
Last year, the Independent reported that scientists at Stanford University had created a solar panel able to generate electricity at night, so it may be that in future, we don’t have to rely on the sun.
Storage
In the meantime, many households are already using batteries to store electricity, although these are costly and take up quite a bit of space. The automotive company Tesla recently launched its Powerwall battery, which could mean more people use this technology and no longer have to rely on the National Grid to boil their kettle or have a bath at night. Those who receive money for producing electricity will get less if they choose to store it, but will still be saving on their energy bills.
