{"id":1145,"date":"2019-01-30T10:02:59","date_gmt":"2019-01-30T10:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/?p=1145"},"modified":"2021-09-28T16:29:49","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T16:29:49","slug":"can-solar-panels-work-at-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/can-solar-panels-work-at-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Solar Panels Work at Night?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1145\" class=\"elementor elementor-1145\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-48e7904 lead-section elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"48e7904\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bb38521\" data-id=\"bb38521\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f39d91 article-title elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f39d91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can Solar Panels Work at Night?<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4914671 toc-and-author-bio-section elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4914671\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c9804b left-column\" data-id=\"6c9804b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41f9c2c table-of-contents elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"41f9c2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_55 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/can-solar-panels-work-at-night\/#How-is-Solar-Power-Generated\" title=\"How is Solar Power Generated?\">How is Solar Power Generated?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/can-solar-panels-work-at-night\/#Then-How-is-It-Possible-That-My-Neighbor%E2%80%99s-House-is-Powered-at-Night-By-Solar-Energy\" title=\"Then, How is It Possible That My Neighbor\u2019s House is Powered at Night By Solar Energy?\">Then, How is It Possible That My Neighbor\u2019s House is Powered at Night By Solar Energy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/can-solar-panels-work-at-night\/#Will-Solar-Panels-Ever-Produce-Electricity-at-Night\" title=\"Will Solar Panels Ever Produce Electricity at Night?\">Will Solar Panels Ever Produce Electricity at Night?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c9f44dc right-column\" data-id=\"c9f44dc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-326de17 author-bio elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"326de17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \"name\": \"Carlos\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \"url\": \"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/author\/carlos\/\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \"image\": \"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3c18d5a96d3725994be378321295fd4b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \"jobTitle\": \"Author\"  \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/script><p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"author-bio-avatar\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3c18d5a96d3725994be378321295fd4b?s=50&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" alt=\"Carlos\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" \/><\/p><p class=\"author-bio-text\"><span class=\"written-by-text\">Written by<\/span> <span class=\"job-title\">qualified solar engineer<\/span> <span class=\"author-name\">Carlos<\/span><span class=\"written-by-period\">.<\/span> <span class=\"last-updated-text\">Last updated:<\/span> <time datetime=\"2021-09-28 16:29:49\">September 28, 2021<\/time><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4caed31 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4caed31\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b3770e9\" data-id=\"b3770e9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ff3f74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ff3f74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Solar panels won\u2019t work at night because they depend on sunlight to generate electricity. Some people get confused with the simple way that we commonly refer to solar energy and how we use it. However, the truth is that solar panels cannot generate electricity at night.<\/p>\n<p>What is possible is that you can use solar power generated during the day and store it in devices such as lithium-ion batteries that will allow you to use it during the night. In other words, if for instance you need some light during the night, you can use <a href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/best-outdoor-solar-lanterns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">solar powered lanterns<\/a> which will generate electricity during the day to charge the internal battery, and then work during the night to light up your yard.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s give you a little technical approach on <a href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/how-do-solar-panels-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how electricity is generated from solar panels<\/a> and how you can use this generated energy during the night.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-is-Solar-Power-Generated\"><\/span>How is Solar Power Generated?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Solar panels are electronic devices designed with an aluminum frame, glass, wires, and semiconducting materials that are placed in thin layers called solar cells.<\/p>\n<p>The semiconducting material used by excellence in solar panels is silicon, one of the most abundant semiconductors in the Earth. The silicon has a crystal structure composed of strong bonds between atoms. However, by adding or \u201cdoping\u201d the structure with other components such as boron and phosphorous, it is possible to increase the conductivity of the layer. In other words, increases <a href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/how-much-energy-does-a-solar-panel-produce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the amount of electricity that can be generated<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Now, sunlight can be described as a particle or a wave. If we refer to sunlight as a particle, then we are referring to atom level particles called photons that impact the surface of the Earth every instant during the day.<\/p>\n<p>When these photons reach the silicon solar cell doped with boron and phosphorous, they release free charge carriers (called electrons). The movement of electrons leads to the generation of electricity, therefore, while more electrons are released, more power is generated.<\/p>\n<p>Summarizing, photons reach the surface of the solar panel, photon\u2019s kinetic energy is transmitted to electrons, releases electrons, generates electricity, and they are then conducted to harnessing points called busbars that are connected to the output of the PV cell.<\/p>\n<p><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Image-showing-how-solar-energy-is-generated.webp 314w,https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Image-showing-how-solar-energy-is-generated-300x204.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Image-showing-how-solar-energy-is-generated.png\" height=\"214\" width=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Image-showing-how-solar-energy-is-generated.png 314w, https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Image-showing-how-solar-energy-is-generated-300x204.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1601 size-full sp-no-webp\" alt=\"image showing how solar energy is generated\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  > <\/picture><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">(Source \u2013 Solar Energy Technologies and Project Delivery for Buildings, Andy Walker)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As you can see, the main source of energy in photovoltaic electricity is the kinetic energy of the photons. Therefore, if there is no sunlight, then there are non-photons. If there are non-photons, then it is impossible to harness electricity from solar panels.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Then-How-is-It-Possible-That-My-Neighbor%E2%80%99s-House-is-Powered-at-Night-By-Solar-Energy\"><\/span>Then, How is It Possible That My Neighbor\u2019s House is Powered at Night By Solar Energy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Solar energy harnessing has a particular curve shape that can be usually simulated as a Gaussian Curve.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar-power-self-consumption.webp 740w,https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar-power-self-consumption-300x142.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar-power-self-consumption.jpg\" height=\"350\" width=\"740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar-power-self-consumption.jpg 740w, https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar-power-self-consumption-300x142.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14264 sp-no-webp\" alt=\"solar power self-consumption\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  > <\/picture><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">Solar Power Self-Consumption (Source \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mysolarquotes.co.nz\/about-solar-power\/residential\/solar-power-self-consumption\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">My Solar Quotes<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As you can see above, solar harnessing starts producing a little energy in the early hours, maximizes its production during midday, and reduces as evening hours get closer.<\/p>\n<p>However, in many instances, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">solar energy<\/a> production exceeds the consumption during midday hours when loads are low because you are outside of the house working or doing businesses. Then, the patterns of consumption generally increase at night, when we turn on the lights of our homes, turn on the TV, start cooking, doing laundry, etc. Unfortunately, solar energy is no longer being generated by then.<\/p>\n<p>Since these two peaks of generation and consumption cannot be mixed, a solution needed to be put in place to make the balance of electricity possible. Actually, in the US, there are two solutions for this issue: Net Metering and Energy Storage.<\/p>\n<h3>Net Metering<\/h3>\n<p>The Net Metering scheme allows any homeowner or user that produces excess solar energy during the day to sell it to the utility grid and receive a credit for the electricity injected on the energy bill. In other words, the credit offsets any consumed electricity from the grid overnight, it translates into a <a href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/how-much-money-do-solar-panels-save\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reduction of the energy bill cost every month<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The problem with net metering is that the tariff or credit that you obtain to offset your production overnight changes from State to State and from time to time in the US. Some States also have capacity limits that can be applied for distributed energy generation, others have restrictions in renewable energy sources that can apply, and others simply do not have that scheme.<\/p>\n<p>However, around 38 States have implemented the Net Metering policy, so it&#8217;s not a bad number either as you can see below.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/map-of-the-United-States-to-show-the-state-net-metering-policies-for-each-individual-state.webp 740w,https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/map-of-the-United-States-to-show-the-state-net-metering-policies-for-each-individual-state-300x142.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/map-of-the-United-States-to-show-the-state-net-metering-policies-for-each-individual-state.jpg\" height=\"350\" width=\"740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/map-of-the-United-States-to-show-the-state-net-metering-policies-for-each-individual-state.jpg 740w, https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/map-of-the-United-States-to-show-the-state-net-metering-policies-for-each-individual-state-300x142.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14265 sp-no-webp\" alt=\"map of the United States to show the state net metering policies for each individual state\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  > <\/picture><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">(Source \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/energy\/net-metering-policy-overview-and-state-legislative-updates.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">National Conference of State Legislatures<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Other States have special tariff rates, like Minnesota and Texas (specifically Austin). These offer a Value of Solar rate that take into account not only the energy injected to the grid, but also the benefits that solar energy offers to balance the grid every day. The main difference with Net Metering is that Value of Solar rate is fixed over 20 years, which offers stability in your electricity earnings.<\/p>\n<h3>Energy Storage<\/h3>\n<p>The other solution that came out to the market was to install PV systems with batteries for backup. These systems are usually called grid-tied with battery backup because they do not normally work off-grid, yet when there is a blackout they can power your house.<\/p>\n<p>Coupling energy storage with PV systems has become very popular thanks to the appearance of hybrid inverters that do not require the presence of a <a href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/best-solar-charge-controllers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">charge controller<\/a> that increases costs. They are also popular now thanks to companies like Tesla, LG Chem, and Sonnen that have promoted lithium-ion batteries that are more efficient, safer, occupy less space, last longer, and are certainly prettier than previous lead-acid battery models.<\/p>\n<p>Based on this approach, some solar designers take into account the use of batteries to improve your self-consumption. The reason for this is that sometimes, net metering schemes may not compensate you enough for the value of solar energy when compared to the electricity rate that you must pay later.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s how models like the AC battery from Enphase Energy came out. They do not provide backup, but they save the excess energy generated during the day to use it later at night.<\/p>\n<p>However, when comparing the extra capital costs of improving self-consumption through a battery with the earnings obtained by saving your solar energy for later use, the average answer is that it is not worth it.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the true purpose of adding a battery must be to provide safety against blackouts to your house or business, and the additional benefit must be that you can increase your self-consumption and possibly obtain better savings in the long term.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will-Solar-Panels-Ever-Produce-Electricity-at-Night\"><\/span>Will Solar Panels Ever Produce Electricity at Night?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now you know that the \u201csolar energy\u201d used by your neighbor at night is actually stored in batteries or in the grid (Net Metering case).<\/p>\n<p>But, will it be possible that solar panels eventually come to generate electricity at night as well? That would be amazing, right?<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, there are still no signs that it can be possible (in the near future, at least).<\/p>\n<p>Attempts of technologies that approach this idea are the <a href=\"https:\/\/public.inl.gov\/features_archive\/Shared%20Documents\/101047_harvesting_the_sun_s_energy_with_antennas.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nanoantennas<\/a> from the Idaho National Laboratory that tried to harvest energy from the Sun using the <a href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/can-solar-panels-overheat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">heat generated during the day<\/a> to generate it later at night, but that research got lost in time because it was from 2008 and we never saw it on the market.<\/p>\n<p>Other technologies as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=P8-8FveMieM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Solar Thermophotovoltaics<\/a> (STPV) may be able to use the heat during the day to produce electricity for later use, however, it is still too soon to jump to conclusions. Time will let us know if it can be possible!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-21a785e4 post-rating-section elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"21a785e4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3a17426f\" data-id=\"3a17426f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59021f55 post-rating elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"59021f55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><!-- Rate my Post Plugin --><div  class=\"rmp-widgets-container rmp-wp-plugin rmp-main-container js-rmp-widgets-container js-rmp-widgets-container--1145 \"  data-post-id=\"1145\">    <!-- Rating widget -->  <div class=\"rmp-rating-widget js-rmp-rating-widget\">          <p class=\"rmp-heading rmp-heading--title\">        We hope you liked this article. Please rate it or leave us a comment.      <\/p>            <div class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons\">      <ul class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list js-rmp-rating-icons-list\">                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Not at all useful\" data-value=\"1\">            <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star rmp-icon--full-highlight\"><\/i>          <\/li>                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Somewhat useful\" data-value=\"2\">            <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star rmp-icon--full-highlight\"><\/i>          <\/li>                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Useful\" data-value=\"3\">            <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star rmp-icon--full-highlight\"><\/i>          <\/li>                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Fairly useful\" data-value=\"4\">            <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star rmp-icon--full-highlight\"><\/i>          <\/li>                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Very useful\" data-value=\"5\">            <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star rmp-icon--full-highlight\"><\/i>          <\/li>              <\/ul>    <\/div>    <p class=\"rmp-rating-widget__hover-text js-rmp-hover-text\"><\/p>    <button class=\"rmp-rating-widget__submit-btn rmp-btn js-submit-rating-btn\">      Submit Rating    <\/button>    <p class=\"rmp-rating-widget__results js-rmp-results \">      Average rating <span class=\"rmp-rating-widget__results__rating js-rmp-avg-rating\">4.9<\/span> \/ 5. 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Be the first to rate this post.    <\/p>    <p class=\"rmp-rating-widget__msg js-rmp-msg\"><\/p>  <\/div>  <!--Structured data -->  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{  \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",  \"@type\": \"Product\",  \"aggregateRating\": {    \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",    \"bestRating\": \"5\",    \"ratingCount\": \"11\",    \"ratingValue\": \"4.9\"  },  \"image\": \"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Multiple-solar-panels-out-in-the-night-time-e1547555269343.jpg\",  \"name\": \"Can Solar Panels Work at Night?\",  \"description\": \"Can Solar Panels Work at Night?\"}<\/script>      <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can Solar Panels Work at Night? Solar panels won\u2019t work at night because they depend on sunlight to generate electricity. Some people get confused with the simple way that we commonly refer to solar energy and how we use it. However, the truth is that solar panels cannot generate electricity at night. What is possible &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/can-solar-panels-work-at-night\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Can Solar Panels Work at Night?<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"right-sidebar","site-content-layout":"plain-container","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"","_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Can Solar Panels Work at Night? - ecotality.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ecotality.com\/can-solar-panels-work-at-night\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can Solar Panels Work at Night? - ecotality.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Can Solar Panels Work at Night? Solar panels won\u2019t work at night because they depend on sunlight to generate electricity. Some people get confused with the simple way that we commonly refer to solar energy and how we use it. However, the truth is that solar panels cannot generate electricity at night. What is possible &hellip; Can Solar Panels Work at Night? 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