Solar panels work as they use an extrinsic semiconductor material, a material that acts as both an insulator and a conductor. As the extrinsic semiconductor material, in this case silicon wafers that have been doped either side in order to create a p-n junction, becomes heated, it absorbs the heat while its electrons become free. When the electrons find new resting places, electricity is created. This happens naturally by the energy of the sun, which causes this movement in valence electrons. Thus, direct current (DC) electricity is produced.

In the best words, when a solar panel becomes hot in the sun, which means it is absorbing infrared radiation, it produces electricity.

Interestingly, if a solar panel becomes too hot, it actually becomes less efficient. The best production day for your home solar system is sunny but not too hot.

The solar panels connect into a solar inverter. To picture what the solar inverter does, we will envision direct current as an arrow. The solar inverter makes the arrow flip and flicker. Flipping means the current is alternating. Flickering means the voltage is 230V. 230V AC powers your household appliances.

The solar inverter and the electrical grid both connect into the switchboard. This means that your home can receive power from firstly the solar inverter, and supplementary from the electrical grid.

The smart meter monitors export to the grid, which means you can be paid accurately for the excess energy that you export to the electrical grid.