Solar energy is one of the most renewable and sustainable energy sources. Now a days people are using solar energy as the main source of power in terms of meeting their energy requirements. Renewable energy data reveals that hydel sources contribute 24.4%, nuclear power 7.8%, and solar and wind (including net-metering) 12.2% to the installed capacity.
Can Solar Panels Work at Night? Understanding the Technology
Do solar panels work at night? This is the hottest question of the era. To answer this question we will have to understand the technology of solar panels. Solar panels are made up of small units called solar cells. A number of the solar cells combine to make a solar panel. Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight (Photons) into electricity. When the sun shines on these panels, the cells absorb the photons and create an electric current through the photovoltaic effect. This direct current (DC) is then converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter, which is the form of electricity used by most households.
Solar panels also work during cloudy and snowy conditions. But their efficiency is compromised. During the cloudy season solar panels working efficiency remains 10-25% of normal power output. It also depends upon the thickness of the clouds.
Can Solar Panels Work at Night Without Sunlight?
Now coming towards the question: do solar panels work at night? The answer to the question is “No”. Day and night Solar panels still have to be introduced. There is no such technology which supports the hypothesis of night solar panels or both. At night, there is no sunlight (no photons), so no energy is produced. Moon light is just reflected sunlight and is too weak to generate any significant power. Sunlight provides about 1368 watt per square meter while moonlight provides 2.3 million times less energy which is too much less to produce power through photovoltaic cells. Because of this solar panels go into sleep mode during night. They become inactive and stop producing power at night.
Can Solar Panels Work at Night with Battery Storage and Smart Solutions?
There are three main ways that can fulfil the need of night solar panels.
o Battery Storage is a way in which solar energy is stored in the batteries during day time (like tesla power wall)
o Net Metering is a grid tied system in which extra solar energy is fed into the grid and at night electricity is drawn back from the grid system. The Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2022-31 set a target to add 3,420MW under net-metering by 2031 in Pakistan.
o Hybrid System is a combined connection of solar batteries, solar panels and grid connection. It is a more reliable and continuous source of electricity.
Future Technology: Can Solar Panels Work at Night with Innovation?
Moreover, research is also under progress to introduce future technology of solar panels. Thermos-radiative cells can generate a little bit of power in the dark by converting radiation from heat into electricity. It has a thermoelectric generator that pushes electrical energy from the variation in temperature between the panel surface and the cold night time sky. Anti-solar panels (Thermo-radiative panels) absorb the infrared flow of heat and transform it to electricity using a thermoelectric generator. UC Davis researchers think this will allow for genuine 24-hour renewable power generation.
