How do solar panels actually work for producing electricity in your home?

Solar panels have a way of sounding futuristic, until you realise they’re essentially doing something very old-fashioned: turning daylight into usable power.

For homeowners, the appeal is simple. A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can help cut electricity bills by generating power on your roof, and it can even pay you for what you don’t use through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). But there are also several practical questions to consider, such as whether solar panels work in winter, what happens during a heatwave, and your home’s suitability.

Keen to know more? This guide breaks down how solar panels work, how they perform across the seasons, and what to consider before you commit.

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Solar panels are devices that convert energy from sunlight into electricity you can use at home. The technology behind most domestic systems is solar photovoltaic (PV). Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made from layers of semiconducting material, typically silicon. When photons from daylight strike the cell, they transfer their energy to electrons in the material, causing them to move. This movement creates an electric current.

The electric current that's generated is then captured by a series of plates and wires within the solar panel and converted into a usable current that is delivered to your home. This energy can power anything in your home that runs on electricity, from your toaster to your TV.

Solar panels are designed with an anti-reflective coating and multiple layers to maximise light capture and efficiency. They typically come encased in glass to better protect the cells. Within that case, there is insulation to help regulate the temperature inside the panel. This is because if a solar panel gets too hot, its efficiency will drop.

In case you’re wondering, solar PV panels generate electricity, while solar thermal panels use the sun’s energy to heat water.

As outlined, a solar PV panel contains lots of photovoltaic (PV) cells, usually made from silicon. When daylight hits these cells, it energises electrons inside the material, creating an electrical current. That current is direct current (DC).

Homes don’t run on DC, though; they run on alternating current (AC). That’s why every solar system includes an inverter, which converts the electricity into a usable form for your appliances.

Solar panels are also built to make the most of whatever light they can capture. They’re designed with multiple layers and coatings to reduce reflection and improve efficiency, and they’re protected by a glass casing. Inside the panel, insulation helps regulate temperature because if a panel gets too hot, its efficiency drops.

Here's how solar panels work from the moment daylight hits your roof:

It’s important to remember that solar isn’t free round-the-clock electricity. It’s daytime electricity, and the value you get depends on how much of it you use while it’s being generated.

The best solar installations are the ones designed around the realities of your home. A few practical factors make the biggest difference.

Most households need around 10-25m^² of clear roof area for a typical installation. How many panels you can fit depends on the model and the size of your roof.

A south-facing roof is usually ideal in the UK, but east- and west-facing roofs can also work well. What you’re really aiming for is decent daylight exposure across the day. North-facing roofs tend to be less productive.

Trees, chimneys, neighbouring buildings, and even dormers can reduce output. A proper site survey should factor this in and design the layout accordingly.

Solar panels add weight and need secure fixings. Your roof should be structurally sound and in good condition, especially if it’s older or if you’re considering a large system.

Most homes in the UK don’t need planning permission for solar panels. However, if you live in a listed building or a conservation area, you may need approval.

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Yes, but this is where your expectations matter. Solar panels don’t need blazing sun to work. They generate electricity whenever there’s daylight, including on cloudy or rainy days. The trade-off is output: in heavy cloud, you’ll typically see significantly less generation than you would on a clear day.

On very overcast days, systems might produce around 10 to 25 per cent of what they’d generate in ideal conditions (the exact number depends on the density of cloud and the efficiency of your panels). Panels that use monocrystalline cells tend to perform better in low light. For more on this, see our guide to how solar panels work in winter and on cloudy days.

Winter reduces solar output because the days are shorter, and also because the sun sits lower in the sky, which means the light is less intense.

Even so, solar panels still generate power whenever daylight hits them, and cold temperatures can actually help efficiency slightly, because PV cells perform better in cooler conditions.

In the UK, you might expect output to drop to around 30-50 per cent of summer levels depending on location, roof angle and orientation.

Solar panels don’t generate electricity at night, because there’s no sunlight to convert. If you want to use your daytime generation after dark, you’ll need to store surplus electricity in a battery, or export it to the grid and offset costs through SEG payments, while still importing what you need overnight.

They do, but there’s a slightly counterintuitive twist.

Solar panels love light, not heat. Hot weather can reduce solar panel efficiency because PV cells become less effective at converting light into electricity as their temperature rises.

Modern panels are designed with layers and insulation to help regulate internal temperature, but there’s still a point where heat starts to nudge performance down.

The practical takeaway for UK homeowners is that during a heatwave, days are usually bright and long, so you can still generate a lot of power overall – even if the system is slightly less efficient at peak temperatures.

Solar panels have become very popular for a reason. For many households, the benefits stack up, particularly if the system is designed well and you’re able to use a good share of your electricity during daylight hours.

The more of your solar electricity you use in real time, such as running appliances in the day, charging devices, and heating water, the more you reduce what you buy from the grid.

If your system generates more electricity than you can use, you can export the surplus to the grid and get paid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). SEG tariffs vary by supplier, so the value depends on where you are and who you’re with.

Solar panels are quiet, solid-state technology. There aren’t many moving parts. In the UK, rainfall often helps keep panels reasonably clean, and many systems come with monitoring apps so you can keep an eye on output.

Solar panels are typically designed to last 25 to 30 years, with gradual efficiency loss over time. Many manufacturers back this up with long performance warranties, often guaranteeing at least 80-85 per cent output after 25 years.

A typical domestic system can support most day-to-day electricity use – eg, lighting, appliances, electronics – and with the right setup it can help offset EV charging or heat water via an immersion controller.

Solar isn’t a magic money button. It’s an investment, and the payback depends on your home and how you use electricity.

The biggest barrier is the initial spend, and the cost of solar panels can vary widely depending on system size, panel type, roof complexity and whether you add a battery. The biggest barrier is the initial spend. A system that’s perfect for one household can be underwhelming for another if the roof is shaded, poorly oriented, or the design assumptions are optimistic.

Solar generation dips in winter. That’s normal, but it can be frustrating if you’re hoping for consistent year-round output.

The inverter is often the component most likely to need replacing. Many homeowners can expect one replacement in 10-15 years, sometimes around the £1,000 mark, depending on the system and model.

Some roofs have awkward shapes, limited usable space, heavy shading, or planning constraints. That doesn’t always rule solar out – but it can make it less cost effective.

If you’re considering which may be the best solar panels for your home and trying to work out what’s realistic, where you can install them matters as much as the brand or model.

Most people picture solar panels on a pitched roof, and that’s still the most common setup. But you may have other options.

Installers usually aim for the section of roof that offers the best daylight exposure with the least shading. Panels can go on the front or back roof slope depending on orientation and obstructions.

With the right mounting system (and any necessary permissions), solar panels can also be installed on flat roofs, garages and outbuildings, sheds, and gardens (ground-mounted systems).

Sometimes these alternatives make sense if your main roof isn’t suitable, or if you want more generation than your roof can physically accommodate.

Yes, solar panels can be installed on flat roofs, and it’s more common than people assume.

Flat-roof systems typically use angled frames so panels sit at a tilt that improves generation and helps rainwater run off. Depending on the roof type, the frames may be ballasted (weighted down) or mechanically fixed.

A flat roof install needs careful planning around roof strength and loading (including the weight of frames and ballast), wind uplift, shading from parapets or nearby buildings, and access for maintenance and safe walkways. A professional survey should assess these factors before any install is signed off.