Learn how solar panels capture the sun’s energy to power your home, and their typical lifespan.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels, sometimes known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, absorb the sun’s energy during the day. An inverter connected to your home’s electrical panel converts this solar energy to AC electricity, used to power your home.
When your panels produce more electricity than you need, the excess can be stored in a solar battery to use later. If you don’t have home battery storage, the surplus power goes back to the electric grid in exchange for credit. These energy credits can help lower your utility bill.
You might wonder if you’ll notice a difference when solar is powering your appliances, like TVs or the dishwasher. Nope! They’ll work the same as when they’re running on regular power from the utility company.
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels are designed to have a long lifespan, and the Tier 1 panels Trinity installs have a manufacturer warranty of 25 years. And we expect your panels to continue working beyond the warranty.
After installing over 3 million solar panels, we have a strong relationship with our solar panel manufacturer. This ensures that we get top-tier panels at a fair price, and we pass that value on to you. It also means that if a customer ever has a manufacturing issue with their solar panels, we have a direct line to the people who can fix it fast.
What are solar panels made of?
Silicon is the main material in the photovoltaic (PV) cells that help solar panels capture the sun’s energy. The PV cells are nested in a durable metal frame, which is attached securely to your roof. Glass serves as a protective layer over the PV cells, to shield them from weather.
Have more questions about solar panels?
We’d love to answer them! Schedule a free consultation with one of our Solar Experts. During this one-hour home visit, we will:
- Look at your current utility bill and calculate how much you could save with solar
- Check out your roof, to make sure it qualifies for solar panels
- Share pricing info
- Answer any questions you have
