No, solar cells do not work at night.
How Solar Cells Work
Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, convert sunlight into electricity. They work by the photovoltaic effect, where photons from sunlight strike the solar cell and knock electrons loose, creating an electrical current.
Why Solar Cells Don't Work at Night
Since sunlight is the source of energy for solar cells, they cannot generate electricity in the absence of sunlight. At night, there is no sunlight to energize the solar cells, so they remain inactive.
Solutions for Continuous Power
To address the lack of solar power at night, you can:
- Store energy: Use batteries to store the electricity generated during the day and release it at night.
- Combine with other sources: Integrate solar panels with other power sources, like wind turbines, hydropower, or natural gas generators, to provide a continuous supply of electricity.
- Utilize grid power: Connect your solar system to the electrical grid to draw power from the grid when your solar panels are not producing electricity.
