How is solar energy charged on site

Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into power. There are two forms of energy generated from the sun for our use – electricity and heat. Solar is an important part of NESO's ambition to run the grid carbon zero by 2025. But how does solar power work, how much does the UK produce and what happens to solar on a cloudy day?

Solar energy comes from sunlight. This energy can be converted into electricity through solar power systems. These technologies meet energy needs for homes and businesses. Solar panels are devices designed to convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.

By 2030, as much as 80% of electricity could flow through power electronic devices. One type of power electronic device that is particularly important for solar energy integration is the inverter. Inverters convert DC electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, to AC electricity, which the electrical grid uses.

The solar energy distribution process encompasses several critical steps that convert energy produced by solar power systems into usable electricity. This electricity is then integrated into the electrical grid or distributed through a microgrid, ensuring a reliable energy supply for consumers.

This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage. Below, you can find resources and information on the basics of solar radiation, photovoltaic and concentrating solar-thermal power technologies, electrical grid systems integration, and the non-hardware aspects (soft costs) of solar energy.

Learn solar energy technology basics: solar radiation, photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), grid integration, and soft costs.