The short answer is yes, solar panels can work without electricity, but their functionality depends on several factors, such as the type of system installed, the presence of a battery storage syste.
However, it depends on the setup and local regulations. By feeding extra power back to the grid, they can earn credits or reduce their utility bills. But, without the solar panel connected to a PV system, there won't be any grid integration or the credits associated with it.
Can a solar PV system be connected to the National Grid?
While it is possible to have a solar PV system that is not connected to the National Grid, choosing not to connect means missing out on potentially lucrative incentive schemes like the government's Feed-In Tariff (FIT). Here is a list of FAQs on connecting to the National Grid.
Should I keep my solar energy system connected to the grid?
Even if you are away from home, you must keep your solar energy system connected to the grid. By staying connected, your system can send back excess electricity to the grid, and make some profit from your solar investment. When a solar panel is not connected, but still it is exposed to solar radiation, it will continue to produce electricity.
Why should a solar PV system be connected to the grid?
For financial benefit. Connecting your solar PV system to the grid allows you to take advantage of the FIT, which gives you a fixed amount of money for each kWh of electricity you generate. On top of these payments for energy generation, you also receive a sum of money for feeding any surplus energy into the grid.
So, by not integrating the solar panel into a PV system, you will miss the potential benefits of generating clean energy. Thus, to make effective use of solar panels and benefit from solar energy, it is necessary to connect them to a PV system.
When a solar panel is not connected, but still it is exposed to solar radiation, it will continue to produce electricity. This extra electricity can lead to overheating and cause the voltage across the panel to be converted into heat. This can potentially lead to a fire hazard if solar panels are not regularly checked and maintained.