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Writer's pictureChristopher Whitt

What do Solar Panels do at Night?


Solar panels are not just for the daytime. At night, the work they were doing during the day is still paying off. This is called 'net metering'. The solar panel generates power and sends it back to your home's electric system. Your electric meter will then keep track of how much electricity you use and how much you generate so you can get a credit for any excess energy that you produce.

Connecting your solar panel installation to the electric grid enables net metering. Where it's offered, net metering kind of works like a savings account. When your solar panels produce excess electricity, it's deposited in the grid. ​In return the electric company gives you a reimbursement or credits your bill. At nighttime, you can draw back on those energy credits that you banked with the electric grid during the day.

With net metering, it's switched on when your panels aren’t producing energy at nighttime. This bidirectional connection allows electricity to flow both in and out of your home. ​Grid connection ensures electricity to your home regardless of variation in solar panel production. In this manner, the grid serves as a communal form of solar energy storage.

Net metering is an efficient process.

Ideally, your net metering credits will cover your cost of drawing energy from the grid.

It’s valuable to check out the status of net metering policies in your area. And, consider augmenting your solar panel system with solar battery storage for a dependable nighttime energy solution.

The amount of energy that a solar panel produces varies with the time of day and season, but on average it produces about 25% less at night than during the day. At night, the solar panel still performs work. Even if your solar panels are not supplying electricity at night, they will still help keep your home cool by creating steam and releasing the heat it absorbs during the day.


A solar panel converts sunlight into electricity by means of photovoltaic cells. The module (a complete set of photovoltaic cells connected to a circuit board or other hardware) itself generates direct current electricity, that can be used by any electrical device.


To put the sun to work for your home, you need a solar panel. There are many different types of solar panels on the market, each designed with different applications in mind. If you want a team that will hold your hand from start to finish, creating the perfect solar set up for your specific needs, we are on standby waiting to help.


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