Solar panels are composed of multiple layers of monocrystalline silicon, engineered to create a powerful electric field across the panel surface. When photons from sunlight make contact with these silicon layers, they dislodge electrons and generate Direct Current (DC) electricity. This process — known as the photovoltaic effect — occurs continuously during daylight hours, whether the sky is clear or overcast. Solar panels generate electricity from light, not heat, which is why they continue to produce power on cloudy UK days.

The DC electricity generated by your panels cannot be used directly in your home. It passes through a solar inverter, which converts it into Alternating Current (AC) — the standard form of electricity used by every domestic appliance and device in the United Kingdom. From there, it feeds directly into your home’s Consumer Unit and powers your property in exactly the same way as electricity from the grid — only at a fraction of the cost.

Any electricity your system generates that your home does not use at that moment is automatically exported to the National Grid. Under the Smart Export Guarantee, your energy supplier is legally required to pay you for every unit you export — turning your roof into a continuous source of income alongside your bill savings.